Ruben Amorim has defended one underperforming Manchester United player, citing the reasons for said slide in form.
Ruben Amorim has provided some context on the form of Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled for goals this season.
Hojlund’s poor form
Rasmus Hojlund has just two goals in the Premier League for Man United this season (Credit: Imago)
Hojlund has only scored two Premier League goals this season, with the Danish striker failing to find the net since the Red Devils’ 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on December 7, 2024.
While the forward netted twice in United’s next match against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12, the 22-year-old has now gone 16 appearances in all competitions (11 in the league) without scoring.
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Amorim believes that the team’s lack of creativity is the main reason for Hojlund’s struggles; the Portuguese manager feels that United are not creating enough chances for the Danish striker to score.
“I think it’s clear, we as a team aren’t helping Rasmus,” Amorim told a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Ipswich Town. “We don’t create a lot of chances. We have a lack of threat and you can feel it in the games.
“Sometimes we are in the final third but you don’t feel like we are a very dangerous team and you feel it also when we’re defending low and sometimes the opponent is not afraid of transitions. So I have this feeling also as a coach that we are not helping the strikers.”
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Amorim also acknowledged that Hojlund is still young and adapting to the demands of leading the attack for the Red Devils. The Portuguese boss believes that the young frontman has the potential to be a top striker but needs more support from his teammates.
“I think Rasmus has a lot of potential,” continued Amorim. “If we improve the way we play the game he will have more opportunities to score.
“He came here very young and when you’re young to be the No 9 and play all the time, sometimes it’s hard. It’s everything together. The context.
“It’s more of a team thing than a Rasmus thing. If we improve, Rasmus will improve, and I have that feeling.”
What next for Manchester United?
The Red Devils host relegation-threatened Ipswich on Wednesday, keen to return to winning ways after a run of three winless games, losing two.
Amorim’s side are 15th in the Premier League ahead of the midweek round.
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