Man United forward Rasmus Hojlund is now 18 games without a goal and Gary Neville has admitted it's "sad" to watch him struggle so badly.
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Gary Neville appears on an online video chat.
Gary Neville has sympathy for Rasmus Hojlund.
(Image: The Overlap US.)
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville says Rasmus Hojlund's ongoing goal drought is "sad" to watch - but admits he is being starved of service.
Hojlund stretched his dry spell in front of goal to 18 matches on Sunday as United exited the FA Cup following a penalty shootout defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Some supporters cheered when the Dane was substituted and replaced by Chido Obi on Sunday - it's unclear whether the cheers were aimed at Hojlund's removal or Obi's arrival. Obi, who was making just his third senior appearance for the club, offered more of a threat than Hojlund had prior to his withdrawal.
Hojlund has scored just seven goals across all competitions this season, five of which have come in the Europa League, and an increasing number of United supporters have lost faith in the former Atalanta man. And with his goal drought now close to reaching 20 matches, Neville has sympathy for the striker.
"Hojlund had a really difficult game, it was a worry," Neville told The Overlap US. "That was my biggest takeaway from the game, there's a lad that now hasn't scored in 18 games.
"I have to say I think he's got a bit of talent and has something physically. But he's shot at the moment and he's really struggling. It's sad.
"You could see when he was subbed off, there was almost a relief in the stadium because the fans knew he had to come off.
"But then again, what chance has Hojlund got with [Joshua] Zirkzee and [Christian] Eriksen behind him? They haven't got attacking full-backs, either."
On United's ongoing issues, Neville added: "I'm still watching every team that comes to Old Trafford look like they've got more of an idea both on and off the ball.
"I went as a fan and it was actually sad being in the stadium. It was really sad because the fans are despondent, they're down in the dumps.
"It's a real struggle for the club and the fans right now, a real struggle. The performance was dreary, the team are going through a really bad time."