Hojlund must leave

Hojlund has been a constant disappointment at MU.

The 0-1 loss to Wolves in round 33 of the Premier League on the evening of April 20 was nothing more than a wake-up call to the harsh reality: Hojlund has never been a striker good enough to wear the Red Devils' shirt.

Hojlund's terrible game

Since the start of the 2024/25 season, the Danish striker has scored just three goals in the Premier League, and a total of eight in all competitions after 44 games. For a £72 million contract, these are unacceptable numbers. A striker who was expected to lead the attack, has now become a burden in the playing style of the most traditional team in England.

Coach Ruben Amorim, Erik ten Hag's successor, continues to put his faith in Hojlund in the hope that he will rediscover the killer instinct he had at Atalanta. However, patience is running out.

The game against Wolves was one of the few times Amorim couldn’t hide his disappointment, and it all stemmed from some questionable decisions from Hojlund.

One of the most notable moments came in the 53rd minute. Hojlund made a powerful run down the left flank, past centre-back Emmanuel Elysee Badobre and headed straight for the Wolves goal. In the box, Kobbie Mainoo and Patrick Dorgu made good movements, opening up two clear passing options.

However, instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to combine, Hojlund tried to bring the ball to his left foot and shoot. Defender Toti Gomes quickly read the situation, swooped in to tackle accurately and ended the promising counter-attack.

Against Wolves, Hojlund played badly.

On another occasion, Alejandro Garnacho made a good cross into the box. Hojlund chose the wrong landing spot and moved out of rhythm, causing him to miss the chance to score. Just a light touch was enough to score against Wolves, but Hojlund showed confusion in finishing.

If squandering a chance once can be considered bad luck, then repeating the same mistake game after game shows that the problem lies with the player himself. Höjlund lacks a sense of space, moves awkwardly and lacks the agility to handle the ball – all qualities that a top striker must possess.

In late 2024, many experts tried to defend Hojlund, claiming that he was a victim of Manchester United's lack of innovation. The wingers rarely put the ball into the penalty area early, causing Hojlund to become hungry for the ball and lose inspiration to play.

However, when the opportunity comes and you still can't take advantage, all the reasons become meaningless. The match with Wolves exposed the limits of Hojlund - a striker who is not good enough to compete in a harsh playground like the Premier League.

Time is running out for Hojlund

With Manchester United preparing for a major overhaul in the summer of 2025, it will be difficult for Hojlund to keep his place. With his current performance, he will hardly be able to compete on equal terms with the team's targets such as Viktor Gyökeres or Victor Osimhen - two strikers who are playing explosively and have high transfer values in the European market.

It's time for MU to make a decision with Hojlund.

If either of these two contracts arrive at Old Trafford, Hojlund will likely be relegated to the bench. And if Manchester United find a suitable partner, parting ways with Hojlund is possible. However, with such a high transfer fee and lackluster performance throughout the season, it is not easy for any team to accept to "rescue" the Danish striker.

Atalanta, Hojlund's former club, could be a potential option - where he left a positive mark. However, returning to Serie A at this time is not simple, especially when Hojlund has lost his confidence and form.

If he continues to stay in England, mid-level teams like West Ham, Crystal Palace or Brentford can suit Hojlund's current ability. Because Manchester United's position does not allow them to continue betting on a striker who still lacks too many top qualities.

Time for Hojlund passed quickly. Every game was an opportunity for him to prove his worth, but at the same time it became a challenge for the player. In the reconstruction picture that Amorim painted for the “Red Devils”, Hojlund no longer seemed to fit in.

Manchester United need a genuine 'number 9' - someone who can make the difference and bring home wins. And Hojlund, after a disappointing season, may be ready to move on to a new chapter in his career.

Source: https://znews.vn/hojlund-phai-ra-di-post1547449.html