Rasmus Hojlund is facing one of the toughest assignments in the Premier League due to Manchester United’s current struggles, says Michael Owen.

United’s Boxing Day clash against Wolves ended in a disheartening 2-0 defeat, marking their third loss in just seven days. The game turned in Wolves’ favor early in the second half when Bruno Fernandes received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Nelson Semedo. With United reduced to 10 men, their performance deteriorated further.

Wolves capitalized on the situation, taking the lead when Matheus Cunha’s inswinging corner slipped past Andre Onana and into the net. Hwang Hee-chan later secured the victory with a counter-attacking goal in stoppage time. Despite the tactical tweaks made by Ruben Amorim, United struggled to create meaningful opportunities and ended the match with just 0.35 xG.

Hojlund, chosen to lead the attack over Joshua Zirkzee, found himself isolated and ineffective. Michael Owen, speaking on Premier League Productions, highlighted the difficulties faced by the young striker. “They’re absolutely dreadful going forward,” Owen remarked. “I can’t recall a single real chance they created against Wolves. Hojlund… I genuinely feel sorry for the lad.”

He elaborated on the striker’s limited involvement: “In the first half, he received just six passes, and four of those came from defenders—long, hopeful balls. Only two passes were from players who could genuinely help him create something. How is he supposed to make an impact with that?”

Owen’s comments reflected the challenges of playing as United’s lead striker. “I can’t even evaluate his ability properly. After watching him for a season, I’m still unsure if he’s a good or bad player. That’s a damning indictment of the situation. Right now, playing as a centre-forward for Manchester United might be the toughest job in the Premier League.”

He added, “This position was once the dream for every striker in the world, a chance to score goals aplenty. Now, it’s almost a cursed role. I never thought I’d be saying that.”

United’s Broader Struggles

Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been fraught with challenges. The team currently sits 14th in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the coveted top-four spots. Owen noted that while United’s defense isn’t their weakest link, their overly cautious approach hinders their overall performance.

“They’re not terrible defensively, but their mindset is too conservative,” Owen explained. “They’re often overly focused on marking, even when it’s unnecessary. Against Wolves, I saw three United players marking a single opponent at the back. That’s not how top teams operate.”

Comparing United’s approach to Liverpool’s attacking style, Owen said, “Liverpool go man-to-man at the back and push any spare players into attacking positions. That’s the kind of mentality Amorim is likely trying to instill, but it’s far from being realized.”

Owen concluded by emphasizing the need for a functioning system. “Even if United managed to stop conceding goals, I wouldn’t be optimistic because the team’s overall structure and performance are severely lacking.”

The pressure remains on Amorim to turn things around as United’s turbulent season continues.

Ruben Amorim didn’t conceal his disappointment as Manchester United suffered their third loss in seven days, falling 2-0 to a struggling Wolves side on Boxing Day.

The United manager openly criticized Bruno Fernandes following the midfielder’s red card, which played a pivotal role in the defeat at Molineux. The match was closely contested in the first half, but the turning point came when Fernandes received his second yellow card for a challenge on Nelson Semedo, leaving United with 10 men.

Wolves capitalized on the numerical advantage, breaking the deadlock through Matheus Cunha. His inswinging corner baffled Andre Onana and found its way into the far corner of the net. Amorim’s tactical changes to chase an equalizer fell short, and Wolves sealed the victory in the 98th minute when Hwang Hee-chan finished off a counter-attack. The result lifted Wolves out of the relegation zone and added further misery to United’s struggles.

Bruno Fernandes has now been sent off three times in 27 appearances this season, a worrying trend that has cost United dearly. Amorim didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment, emphasizing how the red card altered the game’s dynamics.

“When you lose, it’s always a setback,” Amorim told Prime Video. “Playing with 10 men made it incredibly tough. The first goal reminded me of the one we conceded against Tottenham. Even with a man down, we tried to push for something, but then Wolves scored their second on the break. We gave it our all, but it wasn’t enough. Now, we must move forward.”

Addressing Fernandes’ dismissal, Amorim added, “He’s trying to challenge for the ball, but he can’t afford to make such mistakes. Some players aren’t even focusing on the ball, but I don’t want to dwell on that. The positive takeaway is that we were close to scoring even with 10 men. But ultimately, we lost, and that’s what matters.”

Amorim acknowledged the difficulty of competing in the Premier League, especially with a depleted side. “Winning in this league is hard enough with 11 players,” he said. “With 10, it becomes an uphill battle. We need to address this issue.”

A Challenging Start for Amorim

Since replacing Erik ten Hag, Amorim has endured a challenging start, struggling to implement his ideas effectively. “We need to improve our connections on the pitch,” he admitted. “There are promising moments, but we lack aggression. We’re not training enough due to the congested schedule. Instead, we’re just playing and searching for ways to win games. We can’t control matches like the top teams.”

Amorim reflected on the tactical aspect of the game, saying, “At times, we controlled the flow without dominating. Set-pieces were an area we managed well, but the red card made everything harder for us.”

Rashford’s Ongoing Absence

Amorim’s decision to exclude Marcus Rashford for a fourth consecutive game also drew attention. When asked about the forward’s absence, he remained resolute. “It’s the same reason as before,” Amorim explained. “We need consistency and professionalism, regardless of whether we’re winning or losing. As the manager, I must stay strong and stick to my principles until the end.”

Despite the setbacks, Amorim’s focus remains on rebuilding United’s form and instilling a winning mentality in the squad. However, with mounting pressure and a packed fixture list, the path ahead looks far from easy.

Manchester United is reportedly setting its sights on Atalanta’s midfielder Ederson as a long-term replacement for Casemiro. According to the Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, the Red Devils view the 25-year-old Brazilian as an ideal addition to their squad and are planning a potential move next summer.

Reinforcing the Midfield

Despite securing the services of Manuel Ugarte last summer, Manchester United is considering bolstering its midfield further. With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen no longer in their prime, both players might be offloaded at the conclusion of the current season, creating space for fresh talent in the squad.

Tutto Mercato Web reports that Manchester United has given “total approval” to pursuing Ederson as Casemiro’s successor. However, a winter transfer appears unlikely as Atalanta has deemed the midfielder unsellable during the ongoing campaign. Instead, any potential deal is expected to materialize during the summer transfer window.

Atalanta’s Stance and Ederson’s Value

Atalanta has been performing exceptionally well this season, currently sitting atop the Serie A standings. Given their strong form, the club is reluctant to part ways with key players mid-season. It is believed that Atalanta would demand a fee of approximately £49 million for Ederson’s services come summer.

A Top-Class Addition

Ederson was previously linked with Manchester United last summer before the club opted to sign Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. However, United’s continued interest in the Brazilian suggests they view him as a pivotal figure for their midfield.

Known for his exceptional work rate, Ederson thrives in duels and boasts impressive passing accuracy. This season, he has completed 87% of his passes and 66% of his long-ball attempts in Serie A. His ball retention skills and ability to dictate play make him a standout performer and a potential upgrade over Casemiro.

Strategic Fit for United

If acquired, Ederson could form a formidable central midfield partnership with Manuel Ugarte or rising talent Kobbie Mainoo. His skill set aligns with United’s evolving tactical approach, and his signing would inject energy and precision into the team’s midfield.

Competitive Market

While Manchester United might face competition from other top European clubs for Ederson’s signature, they could have an edge due to their positive relationship with Atalanta. The Red Devils have previously secured deals for Rasmus Højlund and Amad Diallo from the Italian side, which could facilitate negotiations.

Conclusion

Manchester United’s pursuit of Ederson reflects their commitment to strengthening their midfield with younger, dynamic talent. While a transfer this winter appears unlikely, the summer window could see the Brazilian star donning the famous red jersey as the club continues to rebuild under its ambitious vision.