Paul Parker has ripped into Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and fears the club’s No.9 isn’t showing any signs of progressing.
Hojlund was signed by Erik ten Hag 18 months ago and, after a difficult start and lengthy Premier League goal drought, showed signs of promise under the Dutchman.
The 22-year-old’s second campaign in a United shirt has been a huge disappointment, however, and with just two Premier League goals so far this term his place is in serious jeopardy.
Joshua Zirkzee has been preferred by Ruben Amorim in several games recently while Ruben Amorim, Ten Hag’s successor, started Kobbie Mainoo up front instead of his two recognised strikers against Crystal Palace at the start of February.
‘Rasmus Hojlund’s contribution to the team recently hasn’t been very good,’ Parker told Instant Casino.
‘I think it’s the worst it’s ever been – he just looks afraid to make mistakes and isn’t playing with any belief in his own ability.
‘He looks scared to touch the ball now because he’s worried about which way it’s going to go, and he’s not thinking about which way his passes are going before he gets it.
‘He’s clearly not in a very good place at this moment in time and I’m not sure how Ruben Amorim best works with it between now and the end of the season.
‘The striker position at the club has been an issue for a while now and I don’t see it getting better anytime soon.’
United did look to strengthen their forward line in the January window but missed out on the signing of Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel who joined Tottenham on loan.
Parker added: ‘I was very disappointed with United’s business in January. I was expecting at least two players through the door and I thought it was going to be the club’s saving grace this season, to be honest!
‘The squad needed some players with energy and pace so Ruben Amorim could at least match most teams in the Premier League, but he only got Patrick Dorgu in the end.
‘Even Tottenham have gone and brought in another attacking player in Mathys Tel, who looked like one of their best players against Aston Villa on Sunday.
‘He had some good movement, brought some energy and scored a good goal – he’s exactly what United need in their attacking positions at the moment.’
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