Ruben Amorim tipped to sell ‘awful’ Manchester United star

Troy Deeney believes a Manchester United star is fighting a losing battle to save his Old Trafford career.

United fans were encouraged by Rasmus Hojlund’s first season at the club as he scored 16 goals in all competitions following a £72m move from Atalanta.

Not only has Hojlund failed to kick on this season, he has regressed – contributing just three Premier League goals.

Hojlund was subbed off during Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final against Lyon in midweek and ex-Premier League striker Deeney was shocked by his performance.

Deeney described the display as ‘awful’ and accused Hojlund of getting ‘bullied’ by the Lyon defenders before he was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee on the hour mark.

Given Hojlund’s struggles, United boss Ruben Amorim is believed to be keen to bring in a new striker this summer, expressing interest in Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Deeney believes time is running for Hojlund to save his Manchester United career and says the Denmark international will need to have ‘an unbelievable pre-season’ to convince Amorim to keep him.

‘Based on what I saw from Hojlund against Lyon, I may as well get fit,” Deeney told talkSPORT. ‘No joke, he was awful.

‘He looked confused, he looked lost. His skill-set is running behind and getting pot-shots off as quick as he can.

‘He ran to players, he was marking himself as opposed to a defender marking him.

‘As a striker, we’re always told if a striker can touch you and feel you, then you’re in the wrong position. He was running to the defender. 

‘I just think based on that, he was awful. The thing is, you can have off days in terms of scoring and have a low year.

‘But he was getting bullied. It looks like the pressure is getting to him. So he will have to have an unbelievable pre-season to stay there.’

Only time will tell if Hojlund retains his place in the Manchester United team on Sunday when the Red Devils face Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Amorim could opt to drop Hojlund in fact of Zirzkee, who has begun to offer more to the team following a dismal start to his Premier League career.

‘Obviously he had that tough time earlier in the season when he got dragged (against Newcastle) and laughed at,’ Deeney said.

‘Since then, he’s just shown a resilience of, “No, I’ll show you”. I’m disappointed for him because if Onana hadn’t made those mistakes we’d be talking about how great of a performance it was from Zirkzee.

‘The conversation will now be is Zirkzee about go on this run and are we going to see his full potential?’

A 2-2 draw in Lyon during the week leaves Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final tie finely poised ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.

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