Gary Neville admits he is ‘worried’ about the performances of Rasmus Hojlund and believes Manchester United fans were ‘relieved’ when he was subbed off at the weekend.
Hojlund’s long run without a goal extended to 18 games on Sunday as Ruben Amorim’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham.
It has been almost three months since Hojlund last scored a goal and Neville insists the Danish striker looks ‘shot’.
Hojlund started Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Fulham but was subbed off in the second half and replaced by teenage striker Chido Obi-Martin.
Neville attended the game as a fan and believes there was a sense of ‘relief’ in the stadium when £72m signing Hojlund was taken off.
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‘I thought Manchester United would have a scare but get through against Fulham,’ the Old Trafford legend said on The Overlap US.
‘They’ve got injuries which are a factor but the balance of the team is wrong. They’ve got no pace up front. They started with Hojlund, Zirkzee and Eriksen.
‘Hojlund had a really difficult game, it was a worry. That was my biggest takeaway from the game, there’s a lad that now hasn’t scored in 18 games.
‘I have to say I think he’s got a bit of talent and has something physically. But he’s shot at the moment and he’s really struggling. It’s sad.
‘You could see when he was subbed off, there was almost a relief in the stadium because the fans knew he had to come off.
‘But then again, what chance has Hojlund got with Zirkzee and Eriksen behind him? They haven’t got attacking full-backs either.’
The FA Cup exit means Manchester United’s hopes of winning any silverware this season now lies in the Europa League.
United were expected to improve after Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag but have in fact stayed 14th in the Premier League, a staggering 34 points behind arch-rivals Liverpool.
On United’s lack of progress under Amorim, Neville added: ‘I’m still watching every team that comes to Old Trafford look like they’ve got more of an idea both on and off the ball.
‘I went as a fan and it was actually sad being in the stadium. It was really sad because the fans are despondent, they’re down in the dumps.
‘It’s a real struggle for the club and the fans right now, a real struggle. The performance was dreary, the team are going through a really bad time.’
Manchester United face Real Sociedad on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
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