Striker Rasmus Hojlund has failed to score in his last 19 games for Man United.
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Alan Shearer holds a purple Premier League microphone.
Alan Shearer has had his say on Rasmus Hojlund's form.(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images.)
Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer has urged Rasmus Hojlund to "keep going" amid his ongoing Manchester United goal drought.
The Dane extended his barren run in front of goal to 19 games on Thursday evening as United drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the Reale Arena.
Hojlund was more adventurous than he had been in previous matches against Sociedad and he would have been in with a strong chance of ending his search for a goal in the first half had Diogo Dalot delivered a cross when he had the opportunity to do so. Hojlund went ballistic at the Portuguese international for failing to pick him out.
However, it was another game without a goal for the former Atalanta striker, who last scored when he netted a brace in United's 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12. He last scored in the Premier League on December 7.
Despite his ongoing dry spell in front of goal, Shearer is confident getting just one goal could transform his fortunes.
"Rasmus Hojlund won't be enjoying it right now, it's hard when you don't score for such a long time," Shearer told Betfair. "He's not exactly missing a load of chances either, which is more the worrying thing.
"He has to keep going, getting into goalscoring positions, because once you stop doing that, you're never going to score. As hard as it may be, and as mentally tough as it is, you cannot be afraid to miss chances.
"You have got to keep getting in there, keep practicing, because eventually one chance will fall to you and that might be the moment which would transform your season."
Meanwhile, Shearer has also suggested United's players appear to be "a little bit confused" by head coach Ruben Amorim's instructions.
Ruben Amorim points out an instruction from the touchline.
Manchester United are yet to click into gear under Ruben Amorim.
He continued: "I don't suspect the manager is enjoying it either. At times, I think his players look a little bit confused about what they're being asked to do - he's certainly not getting the best out of them.
"The Europa League is their only hope now and you would think that, despite their struggles, the result on Thursday night means that they'll have enough at home, although I wouldn't even bet a single penny on them progressing.
"However, you would hope as a United fan that what they achieved in Spain should be enough to carry them through."