Joe Cole in January 2025
Joe Cole has given his verdict on Rasmus Hojlund's struggles
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is "more comfortable" away from the Premier League, according to former England star Joe Cole
Hojlund has scored five times in nine European appearances this term, while netting just twice domestically. The Danish international, a big-money signing from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, hasn't scored in any competition since bagging both goals in a Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
In United's most recent game, the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 meeting with Real Sociedad on Thursday night, Hojlund showed his frustration with team-mate Diogo Dalot. The right-back failed to roll the ball across for what could have been a tap-in, with head coach Ruben Amorim addressing the incident - and Hojlund's reaction - after the match.
Cole has looked at Hojlund's scoring record, though, and seen parallels with his own career. A return of 10 goals in 56 England games represented an average of one goal every 5.6 appearances - a far better rate than the one every 8.2 games he managed in the Premier League.
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“It’s a strange one with Rasmus Hojlund, as we don’t understand why he scores in the Europa League but can’t seem to score in the Premier League," Cole told Paddy Power
“I think back to my career, and I found the rhythm of international football and Champions League football easier than Premier League football. However, as my career went on, it became more similar, with the refereeing standards changed in England to match the European standards and the influx of European players to the league.
“For Højlund, I think he’s more comfortable in that environment of European football. A bottom half team in the Premier League cause a lot more problems than a bottom half in the Italian league, so he must start acclimatising to England. I think it’s a confidence thing with him, and I’d love to see him turn it around because he works so hard, but there is something in his head that he needs to shake out.”
What needs to change for Rasmus Hojlund? Have your say in the comments section
Rasmus Hojlund's last Premier League goal came on December 7
While Hojlund's goal drought remains a concern, some sympathised with him after the Dalot incident in San Sebastian. Among them was Robbie Savage, who made clear his frustrations with the lack of supply.
“People can criticise Rasmus Hojlund for not scoring in 18 games but look at that there," Savage said on commentary for TNT Sports. "He’s made the run. Why on earth has Dalot not played that ball across? If I’m the manager, I’d be screaming at him.
“Hojlund is in, he’s goal-side of the defender. It’s an easy pass, just roll it across. That’s unacceptable. People can criticise Hojlund but he’s made the right run there and got past the defender. He still didn’t get the opportunity.
“That’s not acceptable from Dalot. If I’m the manager I would be absolutely hammering him right now. What is going through Dalot’s mind there?”
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