Scholes and Ferdinand praise one Manchester United star after Bayern loss

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Manchester United legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes agree that Rasmus Hojlund was a rare positive in Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

If it wasn’t for a matter of inches – or perhaps a different VAR angle (Japan vs Spain, anyone?) – Rasmus Hojlund would have two goals in two starts since his £64 million move to Manchester United.

At least there was no reason to chalk off the Dane’s first official strike for the Red Devils at the Allianz Arena, Hojlund giving a stuttering United side a few glorious moments of hope before Christian Eriksen was penalised for the sort of handball which must have professional footballers wondering if they would be better off handcuffing themselves before taking to the pitch.

Rasmus Hojlund scores first Manchester United goal

“I am really pleased for (Hojlund) to get off the mark,” Scholes, a Champions League winner in 1999 and 2008, tells TNT Sport. “That will do him the world of good.

“It’s a scrappy goal, I suppose, and it gave United hope.”

‘Scrappy’ indeed. But, if you ask Manchester United supporters, they will tell you that the club has lacked this kind of centre-forward for far too long. Someone capable of reacting at the speed of light to a loose ball inside the penalty area, an almost-Ruud van Nistelrooy-esque presence between the posts, snuffling out chances like the world’s most conscientious truffle pig.

Ferdinand, the former United defender, has understandable concerns about a midfield as resilient as wet tissue paper. But, like Scholes, he believes that Hojlund’s immediate impact is a rare ray of sunlight in an otherwise gloomy sky.

Burnley wait on Saturday

“Ten Hag post-match (was) spot on. (Manchester United are) too easy to play through at the moment,” Ferdinand writes on Twitter. “Positives; Hojlund scoring.

“(We) need some of the injured lads back as soon as possible. We go again Saturday!”

United travel to Burnley at the weekend, a Clarets side with only one point on the board perhaps ideal opposition – touch wood – for a side on their longest run of defeats now since Federico Macheda rescued Sir Alex Ferguson’s title charge in 2009.