Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand insists that Rasmus Hojlund is not getting the service he needs at Old Trafford and likens it to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s troubles with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rasmus Hojlund At Manchester United
Rasmus Hojlund has had a tough start to life at Manchester United. Having missed several games due to injury following his arrival from Atalanta for £72m, the Dane has featured in 13 games since for the Red Devils.
However, since joining the club, the 20-year-old has struggled in front of goal, scoring just 3 goals with all of them coming in the Champions League.
What Has Ferdinand Said About Hojlund?
However, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that Hojlund’s struggles in front of goal stem from his lack of service, which is a sentiment shared by Sky Sports Pundit Jamie Carragher.
Speaking on FIVE, Ferdinand said: “Ruud van Nistelrooy more or less had Cristiano Ronaldo in tears almost one day, saying, ‘How can I make my runs when you don’t cross the ball?’ That’s how Hojlund must feel right now with the wide players he’s playing with.”
Spot on 🗣️ Rio Ferdinand on Rasmus Hojlund's struggles to score in the Premier League so far this season:
"Hojlund is a great example, he’s getting into the box in great areas and is a striker that really wants those crosses fired into him but he has two wingers that don’t… pic.twitter.com/DlEA0QxNUv
— United 4Fans (@United4fans) November 6, 2023
“The difference was Ruud was the main guy in our team, the main goal-getter, he had the experience, the gravitas, he could pull up young guys and say, ‘Oi put the ball in the box’ – and he said a lot more than that by the way. Hojlund ain’t that guy yet, he’s getting his feet under the table unless he’s that guy who can pull people up…because he needs to.”
“His best attributes are not being seen because the team aren’t playing to his strengths,” he continued.
“He [Ten Hag] said in his press conferences we want to play a bit more direct with players like Hojlund and Rashford who can play on the counter. Too many times they get wide and the quality is nowhere near good enough. Antony doesn’t want to cross it, his first instinct is to see what he can do for himself. Marcus is more of a striker who wants to get on the end of things and see if he can finish.
“When he’s making his movements the ball is being delayed and isn’t coming into the areas. He made one fantastic run in the first half and he was screaming for the ball and it ended up being a bad cross from Garnacho. The sooner they get the ball in the box for this guy, he makes good enough runs. Play to his strengths. He’s not old enough to grab a few people and say get the ball into me guys. He’s not go that and I wouldn’t expect that yet. Ruud van Nistelrooy, you didn’t cross the ball for him and I see players resorted to tears because of his demands.”
Manchester United face Hojlund’s former club in the Champions League tomorrow evening, where the Dane will be hoping to add to his three goals in the competition.
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