Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, expressed his empathy for Rasmus Hojlund, the young forward from Manchester United, who has been facing extensive criticism. Hojlund, a 21-year-old Danish talent, was acquired by Man United in the summer transfer window of 2023 for a substantial fee of £64 million, with an additional £8 million in bonuses, from Atalanta. Despite scoring 14 goals and contributing 2 assists in 39 matches for the Red Devils this season, Hojlund has consistently been the target of criticism from a portion of the fanbase and several analysts due to his perceived lack of goal-scoring prowess.

Carragher, in an interview with Sport Bible, shared his regret for Hojlund’s situation, stating, “I genuinely feel sorry for Hojlund. He is still young, and the leap he made may have been overwhelming for him at the beginning.”

Expanding on the notion that Hojlund should have joined a different club prior to arriving at Old Trafford, Carragher added, “Hojlund should have spent two years at another team before joining Manchester United, in my opinion. I pity him because Manchester United is no longer a formidable team. They are performing poorly and are merely competing for a spot in European tournaments. With United’s feeble squad, they have no chance of challenging for the title, which ultimately prevents Hojlund from fully utilizing his potential.” The criticism towards Rasmus Hojlund has intensified as a result of Manchester United’s lack of stability throughout this season. Currently, the Red Devils occupy the eighth position in the Premier League standings, with 54 points from 35 matches. Under the management of Erik ten Hag, they have suffered defeat in 18 matches across various competitions, significantly deviating from their established reputation.

Erik ten Hag, the coach of Manchester United, has demonstrated his unwavering support for Hojlund, acknowledging that the young striker needs time to consistently find the back of the net in a new league. In an interview with Sport Bible, he stated, “We have seen the greatest potential in the forward position with Hojlund compared to last summer. Manchester United is highly satisfied with his performance. However, it is evident that Hojlund requires a period of adjustment. Nevertheless, we are delighted to witness his goal-scoring abilities in action.”

Regarding Hojlund’s form following his recovery from injuries, Erik ten Hag voiced his perspective, saying, “He experienced an excellent phase where he scored a multitude of goals. However, before and after that period, Hojlund encountered some physical setbacks. This is a normal occurrence for a young player who is still developing. I wholeheartedly believe in Hojlund’s progression, and if all goes according to plan, it won’t be long before he reaches a world-class level.”

In response to the rumors surrounding the potential dismissal of the Manchester United coach at the end of the season, Erik ten Hag addressed the speculations, stating, “I find some of the comments regarding this matter to be ill-intentioned. I believe that those individuals lack a genuine understanding of football or the complexities of managing a team. Those who possess genuine insight will recognize the challenges we have faced.”

Erik ten Hag remains confident that the club’s decision-makers will exhibit patience concerning his future, dismissing the discussions surrounding the possibility of Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS terminating his contract, even if Manchester United secures the FA Cup, as was the case with his compatriot Louis van Gaal in 2016.

Ten Hag further emphasized, “If they can comprehend the difficulties we have encountered, such as our injury crisis, while witnessing the unwavering determination and camaraderie displayed by the players, disappointment will never be on the horizon.” Manchester United’s next match will be against Arsenal, the team currently in second place, taking place at Old Trafford on the night of May 12th.