Michael Owen has urged Manchester United to give Rasmus Hojlund another chance, believing the Dane could thrive in a side improving under Michael Carrick.
Hojlund arrived in Manchester from Atalanta in a £72million deal in 2024, immediately tasked with leading the line as the club’s only senior centre forward.
After a promising first campaign however, Hojlund struggled during his second season in England, scoring just four Premier League goals.
United revamped their attack last summer with Benjamin Sesko brought in. Deemed surplus to requirements, Hojlund joined Napoli on a season-long loan, scoring 10 goals back in the Italian top flight.
The deal that took Hojlind to Naples included an obligation to buy clause should Antonio Conte’s side qualify for the Champions League.
While things may now be out of United’s hands, Owen believes Hojlund should be given another chance to prove his worth at Old Trafford where Carrick has built a ‘functioning’ side a striker can thrive in.
‘I don’t care who you play up front, it’s very hard to judge when the team aren’t functioning,’ Owen told Premier League Productions after United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday night.
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‘Stirkers are the end of the chain, if the chain is broken, it’s pointless in many ways. I would love to see Hojlund and see what he can do now.
‘He played in a Manchester United team that was broken and didn’t have any links and played poorly. Who’s to say he’s not really good? He’s doing really well in Italy now.
‘Sesko is the same, it was hard to judge but now that chain throughout the team is actually working, you are seeing a different type of player.
‘I just wonder how much wastage there has been for many years in. Everyone says the purchases have been poor and that might be the case but sometimes they might not get a fair crack of the whip because they don’t get the service.’
Sesko was on the scoresheet against Brentford as United tightened their grip on third place in the Premier League.
They now just need two points from their remaining four games to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League.