Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams admitted that he was “impressed” by Rasmus Hojlund’s performance against Luton Town, despite the Manchester United striker’s failure to score.
Erik ten Hag’s men earned an important three points ahead of the international break, with Victor Lindelof scoring the winner at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Despite Lindelof’s second-half heroics for United, Hojlund failed to find the back of the net against Luton in his ninth Premier League appearance for the Red Devils.
Hojlund arrived at Old Trafford in the summer after United splashed out a hefty £72m transfer package to sign him from Serie A side Atalanta.
The 20-year-old Denmark striker has impressed for United in the Champions League this season, with Hojlund scoring five times in four appearances for the Red Devils.
However, Hojlund’s fine goalscoring form in the Champions League hasn’t carried over to England’s top-flight domestic league at the moment.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans all saying same thing over ‘unbelievably slow’ player’s performance vs Luton Town
Williams on Hojlund’s performance for United
Hojlund was unable to see out the full 90 minutes against Luton and was withdrawn by Ten Hag for United striker Anthony Martial in the second half.
Ten Hag admitted after the match that he wasn’t sure of the extent of Hojlund’s injury after the former Atalanta star limped off during United’s clash.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Williams praised the United striker for his performance against Luton and highlighted his “hard-working” mentality.
“He impressed me [against Luton] again, even though he didn’t score. He’s constantly getting in there and [the] movement is so hard to defend against when the striker goes one way and then the other,” he said (via Football365).
“His first thought is of the team with energy, passing and he helps to win it back. When they are out of possession, he doesn’t switch off, he goes and presses and forces Luton into passing long.
“He keeps getting in there and it won’t be long [until he scores]. He can seem to occupy two defenders, which is a nightmare to defend against. He’s very clever and he’s also very hard-working, willing and energetic.”
Hojlund will turn things around
It’s only a matter of time for Hojlund to break his goalscoring drought in the Premier League and silence his critics once and for all.
The Denmark international had high expectations placed on him after his big-money move to Old Trafford and Hojlund still needs time to adapt to the Premier League.
So long as Hojlund can still contribute to the team outside of scoring, then his position in the starting XI will remain unquestioned by United fans.
The scrutiny on Hojlund has presumably been amplified because of the lack of goalscoring output from United’s front three this season.
However, even Williams has claimed that the United star will score a lot more in the Premier League once he breaks his current drought.
“Once the first goal comes, more will come. I think his first Premier League goal will come sooner rather than later,” he added.
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