Dimitar Berbatov says one Man Utd ace is ‘wasting all his energy’, it’s ‘bad for his mentality’

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Ruben Amorim’s headache just got worse after an injury-ridden Manchester United side had the double done over them by Spurs in a 1-0 loss.

The league double is completed but it’s Man Utd’s third loss to Spurs this season, adding the elimination from the League Cup under Ruben Amorim.

The pattern of the game was similar minus the goals, with plenty of chances created, and missed by both teams which is why the scoreline doesn’t tell the story of the game.

The forwards found themselves in plenty of promising positions but Dimitar Berbatov named one Man Utd player, in particular, who wasted all his energy with the blame lying on one man alone.

Dimitar Berbatov has Rasmus Hojlund worry

Rasmus Hojlund started up top for United again more out of necessity than managerial choice because the club’s attacking ranks are paper thin.

Hojlund began well, with some well-timed runs and hold-up play bringing United into the game but soon, the bad habits took over.

The sloppiness was there while holding up as he got tackled or muscled off the ball too easily, with United eventually starting to funnel their attacks from the wings.

Dimitar Berbatov spoke after the game and felt sorry for the Dane, saying that he’s wasting all his energy doing something that is not a striker’s job – tracking back and covering spaces.

Berbatov said: “Hojlund again, he wasted all his energy tracking back and covering spaces. The defenders push back and the midfield is left too far ahead leaving wide spaces. Then going forward you have wasted all your energy. It’s bad for your mentality, playing in this team [as a striker].”

Berbatov’s directs blame on Ruben Amorim’s setup

Berbatov and Glenn Hoddle added that the system caused this chasm between the midfield and the defence which also overworked Bruno Fernandes.

However, it is worth noting that the same problem crept up under Erik ten Hag so it can’t be written off as a managerial issue anymore.

Amorim fielded both Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire in the back three, neither renowned for their pace, and with Casemiro ahead of them, the gap was bound to be there as the defence protected space behind them and Casemiro tried to stop attacks at the source.

Hojlund was left to chase shadows because the team didn’t press as a unit but that doesn’t excuse his declining hold-up play.

There are clear mitigating circumstances and playing as the striker in this team is a thankless task but Hojlund can’t be absolved of all blame.