'CRIMINAL!': Hojlund fumes at Man Utd star after SHOCKING failure

Suraj Radia

• 6 Mar 2025 21:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Analysis

Rasmus Hojlund may be on a run of 19 games without a goal but the Manchester United star will be fuming at the ‘criminal’ actions of his teammate that prevented him from breaking his barren run.

Hojlund once again failed to score as United were held to a 1-1 draw in their Europa League knockout first leg against Real Sociedad but one moment in the match perhaps proved why the 22-year-old has continued to struggle in front of goal this season.

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United found themselves on the break during the first half with Diogo Dalot surging down the right side but, despite Hojlund making a run into the penalty area, the right-back failed to find his teammate and the chance eventually came to nothing.

Hojlund was seen raging at Dalot for failing to make the obvious pass which would have put United ahead and his emotions were echoed by former Red Devils legend Paul Scholes, who branded the defender’s decision as ‘criminal’.

"The frustrating thing is, for 20 minutes we saw them warming up, and that's exactly what they were practising. Into the wing-back, crossing it first time,” Scholes told TNT Sport.

“For Dalot not to see that, is criminal really. Hojlund, he's made a great run. For any right-back in world football not to see that is criminal, and that's an easy goal for Hojlund."

Service please!: How United are failing to rescue Hojlund from woeful form

Hojlund has scored just two Premier League goals in 22 appearances this season, although the 22-year-old has found the back of the net five times in nine Europa League games.

With just five teams scoring fewer goals than United this season, manager Ruben Amorim is desperate to sign a new striker in the summer in a move that could see Hojlund leave United.

There were high hopes when United paid €74 million to Atalanta for Hojlund in 2023, particularly as he netted ten league goals in his debut campaign, however his second season has proven disastrous.

Hojlund will point to situations like the Dalot error as a prime example of the lack-of-service he has had to endure during his time at Old Trafford, particularly with the youngster having just 0.7 shots per game in the league this season.

That number is lower than defensive players such as Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, with nine players in United’s squad having had more shots per game than Hojlund.

While United do lack a proven goalscorer, it has become evident that players such as Dalot cannot thrive in Amorim’s system, with more complete and creative players needed to get the best out of Hojlund.

However, with United struggling to generate funds for transfers, it appears Hojlund could end up a casualty sale as Amorim desperately seeks quality to rescue his side from hopeless mediocrity.