I published a piece regarding scapegoating at the turn of the year and the inevitable ramifications this behaviour can have on Manchester United players, specifically focusing on Rasmus Hojlund.
Naturally, the 20-time English champions generate unparalleled quantities of click-driven traction for anything from the price of a staff lunch to the lack of goals from a misfiring forward line.
Regardless of whether you enjoy that sort of content, there is no escaping it. Social media has allowed every able-bodied user to make a living from sensationalism.
Furthermore, when this once-perennial beast of the game limps to a horrific Europa League final defeat alongside a 15th-place Premier League finish, a barrage of sharpened knives is the inevitable result.
Ruben Amorim received his fair share of criticism along the way, as did multiple members of his first-team squad.
However, amongst the many agenda-laden pursuits, the treatment of Hojlund reached levels of almost unbearable toxicity, with a collection of largely anonymous online individuals profiting from his daily abuse.
Despite everything we have witnessed and the option to discard this unwanted critique offered by numerous continental heavyweights, the Dane remains committed to the football club. He is determined to prove his worth at Old Trafford.
For some, this is enough to continue supporting a man who now has assistance in the final third. While for others, it is merely prolonging the inevitable. But when you sit back and genuinely consider the expectations versus the variables, has the 22-year-old merited such a division within a disgruntled fanbase?
Is Rasmus Hojlund a better player than a forgettable season suggests?
“The most important [thing] for me is to keep working hard and stay focused, and then, obviously, we’ll see what happens,” Hojlund stated following his side’s 4-1 victory against Bournemouth. “My plan is very clear, and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.”
Confident words from a man rarely out of the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and music to the ears of a manager who desires unity and passion in his dressing room.
This line of intention is even more impressive when you contemplate the speculation regarding United’s pursuit of Bundesliga hitman Benjamin Sesko. Reports of an imminent replacement could shake the foundation of any unstable character, but the Danish forward appears to be relishing in the prospect.
“Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me,” United’s number nine continued. “I’m more than ready.”
Regardless of which side of the fence you currently stand, there is no escaping the lack of goals from this team last season, with a limp attack managing a dismal return of 44 from 38 domestic outings.
Undeniably, Hojlund played his part in that failed forward line, but despite others lending more than a hand, the former Atalanta man has shouldered the majority of the blame.
His contribution of four goals and a single assist from 32 appearances hardly screams the work of a Premier League striker, particularly when he averaged no more than a solitary shot per outing (32 total). Still, his goal conversion rate of 13% is a damn sight better than that of Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine managing six from 84 attempts (7% conversion).
However, despite the apparent flaws in the controversial youngsters’ game plan and an insistence on individual consideration instead of that of his teammates, his Danish buddy was regularly held responsible.
Before I continue, I am not attempting to shift the blame, and I acknowledge that Hojlund has often been the architect of his misfortune.
But one abundantly clear factor is that we witnessed a player lacking confidence and a striker who missed a regular source of chance creation from his attacking teammates. Forwards require plenty of assistance, and the likes of Garnacho regularly opt for otherwise.
Suppose you, kind reader, are unable to complete your nine-to-five without every required tool or instrument. In that case, it’s fair to say that you’ll eventually pick up that gnawing feeling in your stomach on the daily commute, and a simple task will become anything but.
As I stated earlier in the year, the Copenhagen native visibly struggled with confidence throughout the season, and there’s no denying that his holdup play and general activity suffered as a result. But he often played well, made promising runs, and was routinely ignored.
Say what you will about this online agenda, but many of the latter will inevitably lead to the former.
| Manchester United Squad | Premier League attempts (2023-24) | Goals | Conversion % |
| Alejandro Garnacho | 100 | 7 | 7% |
| Marcus Rashford | 62 | 7 | 11% |
| Antony | 43 | 1 | 2% |
| Rasmus Hojlund | 38 | 10 | 26% |
Figures available at sofascore.com
The above chart is a visual representation of the limited opportunities that Rasmus received during his debut season in the Northwest. You don’t have to follow this wonderful game to understand the flaw here.
It’s generally accepted that Manchester United failed their young forward by recruiting him for a ridiculous fee of £64 million (plus £8m in performance-related add-ons) and failing to provide him with a veteran option to shoulder the burden.
However, we are now aware of the ongoing issues behind the scenes with Rashford and Garnacho, while Antony endured his English capitulation.
Instead of pointing the finger at a relative novice for not commanding more possession, is it remotely possible that the trio were focused on individual output to enhance their portfolio ahead of a departure?
Remember, while setting the Premier League record for consecutive goals as a youngster and matching the very best in the league from December onwards, only Alexander Isak proved more clinical (27%) in terms of goal conversion.
| Premier League 2023-24 | Goal attempts | Conversion % |
| Alexander Isak | 78 | 27 |
| Rasmus Hojlund | 38 | 26 |
| Erling Haaland | 121 | 22 |
| Cole Palmer | 109 | 20 |
| Mohamed Salah | 114 | 16 |
Figures available at sofascore.com
The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha immediately enhance every aspect of Amorim’s attacking machine and present an altogether different dynamic for Hojlund or any other striker who could take his place.
Both men offer attacking threats, create opportunities, and have a proven track record of scoring goals.
Without the intention of sounding dramatic, it is the literal definition of night and day if Rasmus were to line out with that duo standing behind him. So, it’s fair to assume that another 22-year-old in Sesko would enjoy an equally beneficial understanding in leading the line.
Say what you will about mainstream comparisons of Erling Haaland to a fellow Scandinavian upon his arrival in Manchester. Still, this poster boy for attacking decline wasn’t granted a morsel of what exists today under Amorim.
Given the new recruits, it is now fair to expect a significant return from this Manchester attack. That is the differential from two seasons ago. However, the reality of this is so easily disregarded.
Regardless of whether our number nine is given one final opportunity to lead the line, or if he is replaced by another like Sesko, the situation at the football club is far more favourable for a striker today. That is an undeniable reality.
Regardless, I can’t help but feel that too many have dug so deep that it is impossible to recognise the failure of their ways.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com
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