Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag felt that Rasmus Hojlund wasn’t showing enough power in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham United.
United drew another blank in front of goal on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 away at West Ham United.
Erik ten Hag was probably relatively satisfied with United’s first-half display but the all-important goal never arrived.
United were made to pay as Jarrod Bowen bundled in the opener before Mohammed Kudus added number two.
United had no response and slumped to an eighth Premier League defeat in just 18 games so far this season.
Erik ten Hag comments on Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund
United have managed just 18 goals so far this season; only Sheffield United have scored fewer.
That record is frankly embarrassing and United are still waiting for Rasmus Hojlund to get off the mark in the Premier League.
We have seen the Dane show his quality and potential in the Champions League but it’s still just not happening for him in league action.
Hojlund was quiet again on Saturday and whilst the supply into him is pretty woeful, we still need to see more from him.
Ten Hag has now told United’s official website that he thinks Hojlund can deal with his lack of goals but has been struggling with illness this week.
Ten Hag felt that Hojlund was showing a ‘lack of power’ due to his illness and he was substituted in order to be saved for other games moving forward.
“No. I think he’s a very strong character and he can deal with the stress,” said Ten Hag. “I took him off. He was ill during the week and so he had a little lack of power. So, yeah, in that sense, I protected him. We have to play two more games this week.”
“But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. No one. And we have to take the responsibility. If you are playing for Manchester United you have to do it together, but everyone has to be accountable and take responsibility.”
United’s need for a reliable striker highlighted again
Ten Hag would have probably preferred to keep Hojlund out on Saturday having been under the weather.
There just aren’t that many other options for Ten Hag to pick from, especially with Anthony Martial out of action right now.
Martial isn’t exactly a reliable source of goals when fit though and Marcus Rashford hasn’t really impressed as a striker.
Hojlund is being asked to plough a lone furrow in United’s attack and an experienced striker must be a key target in 2024.
Playing an ill Hojlund against two big West Ham centre backs was unlikely to end well and Ten Hag will be praying for the arrival of another striking option either in January or next summer.
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