Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that Rasmus Hojlund is "trying really hard", as the centre-forward desperately attempts to find his form in the final months of the 2024-25 campaign.
Hojlund had an encouraging first season at Old Trafford after arriving from Atalanta BC in 2023, scoring 16 times in all competitions, including 10 goals in the Premier League, but it has been a struggle this term.
The 22-year-old has only managed seven goals in 36 appearances for the Red Devils during the current campaign, and he has not found the back of the net in the Premier League since the start of December.
Hojlund drew another blank against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night, and there is currently speculation surrounding his long-term future at Old Trafford.
Man United are set to bring in a new striker this summer, but Amorim has said that he still has full confidence in Hojlund's abilities, insisting that the forward is "trying really hard".
© Imago
Amorim backs Hojlund amid striker's ongoing struggles
"He's trying really hard. He gave everything. He makes the runs," Amorim told reporters. "We know that he also has [to play against] a high line and he uses this space to win, to fight.
"The other things are going to appear in the right moment. He has to continue to play, not be anxious in that position. He did a great run to win the position. Sometimes the ball comes, sometimes it doesn't. So he needs to think in the best way, in this case, in the next game."
Amorim also addressed Diogo Dalot's failure to deliver a cross into Hojlund in the first half of the contest when the Denmark international appeared to have a straightforward tap-in.
"I think it's hard to say, but I'm just imagining that Diogo doesn't know for sure that Rasmus has the advantage," said Amorim.
"And he felt that he has a lot of time to think, to play. One thing that I'm sure: they are really anxious to score goals and to win games. So they are doing all the best, and then sometimes they want to do the best, but they are not deciding the best way in their position.
"But it was a clear situation. Rasmus did really well. Dalot did really well. The decision was not the best. The important thing is to move on and not stay like them, like fighting. And let's move on to the next opportunity."
© Imago
Which forward could arrive at Man United this summer?
Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, is being heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford, with the Nigeria international believed to be a genuine target for the Red Devils this summer.
However, there are other options being considered, with the club still said to be interested in Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, while Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is allegedly a target.
Joshua Zirkzee's long-term future at Old Trafford is also being called into question, although the Netherlands international has been one of Man United's best performers during a difficult spell, and he was on the scoresheet against Real Sociedad on Thursday night.
Matt Law
