'Not playing to his strengths' - Ferdinand defends struggling Man Utd star
Jacque Talbot
- 5 Nov 2023 15:30 GMT
- 3 min read
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United are not helping youngster Rasmus Hojlund find himself a goal.
The forward is yet to find a Premier League goal while he failed to find a shot on target for the club during their 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Hojlund, who was substituted off in the 79th minute at Craven Cottage, cut a frustrated figure when he left the field.
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Bruno Fernandes saved Man Utd’s blushes in injury time, securing the club a 1-0 in over the west London side despite a lacklustre display from the club.
But question marks are being asked of Hojlund, who arrived from Atalanta for £74million over the summer.
Ferdinand, on pundit duty for TNT Sports, said: “I wish we’d had a bit more time with Erik ten Hag [to discuss Hojlund] because he’s invested in a player we’re not seeing the best of. His best attributes are not being seen because the team aren’t playing to his strengths.
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“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.
Ferdinand continued: “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”
