Rio Ferdinand thinks that Man United should offer Hojlund better support to fulfill his desires in front of goal, while Joe Cole expressed his appreciation for the forward’s unhappy response when he was substituted during the Fulham match.
The Danish forward, who has yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League, failed to create any goal-scoring opportunities at Craven Cottage. He was substituted in the 79th minute while his team was still searching for a decisive goal.
Hojlund appeared visibly dissatisfied when his substitution was announced, expressing his frustration by shaking his head and venting his displeasure on the bench. Despite Man United eventually securing a late victory with a goal from their captain, Bruno Fernandes, Ferdinand believes it’s essential for the team to involve their high-profile summer signing more in the game and capitalize on his strengths.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Man United defender said: ‘I wish we’d had a bit more time with Erik ten Hag [to discuss Hojlund] because he’s invested in a player we’re not seeing the best of.
‘His best attributes are not being seen because the team aren’t playing to his strengths.
‘He [Ten Hag] said in his press conferences we want to play a bit more direct with players like Hojlund and Rashford who can play on the counter. Too many times they get wide and the quality is nowhere near good enough.
‘Antony doesn’t want to cross it, his first instinct is to see what he can do for himself. Marcus is more of a striker who wants to get on the end of things and see if he can finish.
‘When he’s making his movements the ball is being delayed and isn’t coming into the areas. He made one fantastic run in the first half and he was screaming for the ball and it ended up being a bad cross from Garnacho.
‘The sooner they get the ball in the box for this guy, he makes good enough runs. Play to his strengths.
‘He’s not old enough to grab a few people and say get the ball into me guys. He’s not go that and I wouldn’t expect that yet. Ruud van Nistelrooy, you didn’t cross the ball for him and I see players resorted to tears because of his demands.’
Fellow pundit Cole did not mind Hojlund’s reaction to being subbed off, saying: ‘First of all him being disappointed and growling at the manager when he gets brought off I absolutely love it because that’s what you want as a manager.
‘You don’t want to overstep the line but you can be disappointed. He’s got to just grow into the role.
‘He’s not going to score hat-tricks week in week out, playing a bit more direct will help him. They never look forward early enough and he does make some good runs but it will come I’m sure.’