Manchester United were fairly toothless against Arsenal as Ruben Amorim experienced a first defeat since taking the Old Trafford hot seat.
Ruben Amorim headed to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as he looked to grab a first away win as Manchester United boss.
It just wasn’t to be though as Arsenal scored twice from set pieces to secure a 2-0 home win.
United’s shape and structure out of possession was much improved but the lack of attacking firepower was a concern.
United managed just five shots and two on target against Arsenal, failing to really produce quality in the final third.
Amorim will certainly want to improve that side of the game going forward with more expected of Rasmus Hojlund.
William Saliba of Arsenal runs with the ball under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsena...
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand shares Rasmus Hojlund verdict
Hojlund scored twice against Bodo/Glimt last week, helping United come from 2-1 down to claim a 3-2 victory.
Amorim surprisingly benched Hojlund against Everton but the Dane came back into the side against Arsenal.
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Hojlund has praised Amorim’s tactical approach, comparing it to the system he played in at Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini.
We didn’t really see the best of Hojlund on Wednesday night though as he was shackled by William Saliba.
Hojlund won three aerial duels but failed to have a shot on target, record a key pass or complete a successful dribble.
This performance left Rio Ferdinand concerned, suggesting that Hojlund now has a similar problem to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, former United defender Ferdinand admitted that he wants to see both Hojlund and Haaland bullying top centre backs more.
Ferdinand feels that Hojlund was like a ‘boy’ against Saliba on Wednesday night and wants to see him become a much stronger player in duels against defenders.
“Saliba looks imposing,” said Ferdinand.
“Rasmus Hojlund is probably still trying to fight his way out of his pocket right now – it was like a man against a boy yesterday.
“I want to see Rasmus Hojlund improve in those situations, in those one-v-ones. I’m saying it about Rasmus Hojlund, but I can say the same thing about Haaland.
“When Haaland comes up against a Van Dijk and against a Saliba, I want to see him bully the life out of them as well and I want to see him hurt them and put punches in them guys,” he added.
Hojlund faces a big second half of the season
Hojlund started the season on the treatment table and it’s understandable that he may be a little rusty even now.
The excuses will stop soon enough though, especially as Amorim forms opinions about his squad and considers who he can count on going forward.
Owen Hargreaves is backing Hojlund to shine under Amorim, no doubt hoping that he can become the new Viktor Gyokeres.
Hojlund has shown flashes of quality and is still 21, so Amorim will be looking to tap into his potential.
United are being linked with other strikers though and Hojlund will need to find some consistency soon.
United’s £64million outlay on Hojlund buys the striker some time and, truthfully, makes a departure a little more complicated.
Hojlund won’t get by on just potential though and he must prove that he is a striker Amorim can rely on ahead of the summer transfer window.
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