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Wayne Rooney has shown faith in Ramus Hojlund despite the Manchester United striker’s goal drought during a dismal season for his team.
The Danish striker has not found the net since mid-December last year in a 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Hojlund has often been one of the most criticised players in the Red Devils squad throughout a campaign that is far from success for Ruben Amorim’s band.
United are out of both domestic cups, the FA Cup and Carabao cup, following their defeats from Fulham and Tottenham, and sit in 14th place in the Premier League table.
However, the Red Devils’ icon Rooney has displayed confidence in Hojlund’s abilities in front of the opposition goal as the 39-year-old hinted that the Danish striker may not received the ‘service’ necessary to lead the team.
‘You know, a striker for Manchester United, when you’re not scoring goals, there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of people talking about you,’ he said on Match of the Day following the final whistle of Arsenal’s game on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney has publicly backed Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund as the 22-year-old did not found the back of the net since mid-December
Ruben Amorim decided to leave the Denmark international on the bench in United’s clash against Arsenal on Sunday
However, Hojlund made an appearance in the 76th minute but managed to record only one shot
‘Can you do it for Manchester United? I think the best thing to do is simplify it and obviously making the runs into penalty boxes is as easy as it comes – you have to make them runs.
‘But simplifying the game, getting the ball, laying it off, getting in the box, getting the ball out wide, getting in the penalty box, putting yourself in the best position to score goals.
‘Nine times out of ten you’re relying on your team-mates to give you chances and put the ball in the box or slide balls in behind.
‘Maybe he (Hojlund) hasn’t been doing that – he hasn’t been getting that service of late. But I’ve got faith in him.
‘I think he is a good play and he works hard. I think that’s really important as well. I think he just needs that goal and once he gets it, they’ll all start coming.’
Rooney’s comments came after Hojlund was dropped off the starting lineup for United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils opened the lead through Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick goal in the stoppage time of the first half, only to be equalised by Declan Rice in the 74th minute.
In Hojlund’s absence as the No 9 in the starting eleven, Joshua Zirkzee took his place after the Dutchman was often moved towards United’s flanks.
Rooney hinted that Hojlund has not been getting the ‘service’ from his team-mates in order to score goals
Overall, the Danish striker made 23 appearances in the Premier League and score two goals
After the final whistle, Ruben Amorim insisted he benched the 22-year-old only for ‘freshness’ purposes
The 22-year-old made an appearance in the 76th minute yet failed to deliver a significant impact on the game, concluding it with only one shot easily blocked by Arsenal defenders in the late stages.
But Amorim insisted Hojlund’s form was not the reason why the striker was benched against the Gunners.
‘No, it’s freshness,’ the Portuguese said. ‘I think he was really fatigued at the end of the game. And we tried different things.
Hojlund moved to Manchester in the summer of 2023 under ex-manager Erik ten Hag for £72million from Atalanta.
Although his first season was far from brilliant, the striker managed to find the back of the net 16 times in 43 appearances.
Currently, however, United are 17 points above the relegation zone, with a negative goal difference.
