“I never thought I’d be saying that” - Michael Owen says Manchester United star is playing in the ‘hardest position’ in Premier League now
Pundit Michael Owen has sympathized with Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund. The former player believes the centre-forward is playing in the 'hardest' position in the Premier League at the moment. The Denmark international led the line with another forgettable performance for the Red Devils as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26).
Signed for around £70 million from Atalanta in 2023, 21-year-old Hojlund is in his second season at Old Trafford but has yet to stamp his authority. The Danish striker played 79 minutes against Wolves but touched the ball just 14 times without recording a single shot on goal.
A former Manchester United striker himself, Owen spoke to the Premier League Productions about the struggles of Hojlund with the Red Devils. He opined that the club's game plan leaves the Dane short of service, making it difficult for him to impact games. He said (via Metro):
"Hojlund… I feel so sorry for the lad. That first half, six passes he received, four of them from defenders so in other words four of them are probably hopeful, long passes and two passes in the first half from a player who you would want to receive a pass off. And he’s supposed to do something with that."
He added:
"I can’t judge him as a player, I don’t know if he’s good or bad, and that’s the most damning thing you could say because after watching him for a year, I just feel as if he’s playing in possibly the hardest position in the Premier League to play in at the moment – centre forward for Manchester United – I never thought I’d be saying that.
"Centre forward for Manchester United used to be the dream for every centre forward in the world, scoring dozens and dozens of goals, and now it’s a poisoned chalice. And I never thought I’d be saying that," he concluded.
Rasmus Hojlund has scored only two goals in 13 league games for the Red Devils this season, with most of his goals coming in Europe. The 21-year-old has scored five times in six UEFA Europa League games, taking his tally for the season to seven across competitions.
Bruno Fernandes sees red as Manchester United bow to resurgent Wolves
Wolves continued their resurgence under Vitor Pereira at the expense of Manchester United, who with 10 men, succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the Molineux on Thursday. Captain Bruno Fernandes received his third red card this season as his side tasted defeat for a third successive game.
Fernandes was shown a red card in the 47th minute following two bookable offenses, leaving his side one man down. Wolves went on to open the scoring 11 minutes later through red-hot Matheus Cunha, who scored an Olimpico goal, direct from a corner kick.
Manchester United committed all of their outfield players forward in the closing minutes. Cunha set up Hwang Hee-Chan (90+9') to score his first goal of the season and seal three points for the home side. Wolves have moved out of the relegation zone following successive wins, while the Red Devils are in 14th place.
