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‘He’s close’ – Ten Hag backs Hojlund despite goal drought

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Dale O'Donnell | Last updated 5/14/24

Erik ten Hag has defended young striker Rasmus Hojlund amid a dry run in front of goal.

The Manchester United manager insists the 21-year-old has a bright future at Old Trafford, despite going through a goal drought.

United’s £72 million summer signing has scored 14 goals in his first season at United, although with just one in his last 10 games criticised has followed.

There have been concerns over the lack of service to Hojlund all season. On Monday, a report suggested his team-mates are reluctant to pass him the ball as they remained unconvinced by the Dane.

It’s a harsh take on a young striker trying to adapt to a new league and it says a lot about the current dressing room.

However, Ten Hag believes Hojlund will overcome any problems in his development to be a success at United.

“When we decided to go for him we buy a player for this season and for the future,” Ten Hag said, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“He has to develop, he has to progress, he needs time, sometimes it goes up and down, before winter he struggled to get his first Premier League goal but he is a very strong character. I am more confident, he’s close.”

We certainly hope so.

Hojlund has shown glimpses of what he can bring to the table this season, but we must also take in account how he was brought in without a backup striker available for most of the season. Anthony Martial will leave in the summer and United have already started considering options for a new striker.

Ten Hag went into further detail about signing Hojlund last summer, adding: “Last season we had a goalscorer with 30 [goals]. We add one extra striker to the squad and on financial resources more was not possible. We were quite confident when you are third and reach two finals, when you add a striker the transfer policy is right.”

The manager is right to back his young player, even if some of his team-mates don’t fancy it and prefer to point the finger of blame at less experienced professionals.

This article first appeared on Stretty News and was syndicated with permission.

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