Man Utd coaching staff 'losing patience' with struggling striker | OneFootball

Manchester United coaching staff have been described as "losing patience" with struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund, with the Dane's lack of goals this season a worry for fans.

Hojlund produced a respectable tally of 16 goals during his debut campaign, including ten in the Premier League alone. But 2024/25 has been tough on everyone at United. He has found the net only twice in the league and not at all in any competition since mid-December.

The Manchester Evening News claims that coaching staff are becoming frustrated by Hojlund, although it is said that he continues to be encouraged during training sessions.

The 22-year-old hasn't had an easy ride at United since a £64m, potentially rising to £72m, transfer from Atalanta in 2023 placed an immediate burden of expectation and pressure on his shoulders.

Hojlund last scored for Man Utd more than two months ago / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages

At his best, Hojlund has shown himself to be a bulldozing penalty area striker capable of performing in the Premier League – as evidenced by a run of seven goals across six successive league appearances last winter. Critics often don't afford him the leniency of a developing young player, rather than the finished article, while his progress has often been interrupted by injuries.

A back problem when Hojlund first arrived in Manchester delayed his debut, while the aforementioned streak was curtailed by a fitness setback. The player then suffered a hamstring issue during pre-season, which again delayed his start to the current campaign.

Hojlund has also been a victim of a lack of service from a United team struggling all over the pitch and could be viewed as an easy scapegoat. Teammate Lisandro Martinez recently admitted that responsibility for scoring goals is not solely on strikers if chances aren't being created.

Ruben Amorim has been tipped to pursue Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window in the hope of reuniting with the Sporting CP striker he developed into a goal machine in Portugal. But the Swede's £83m release clause could price a financially struggling United out of a move.