Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund has been slammed by Danish media for his latest performance in international colours. The striker was included in the starting line-up as Denmark took on Portugal in the Nations League on Sunday but was ineffective in front of goal as his country suffered defeat.
Denmark and Portugal went head-to-head twice in the space of four days as they met in the Nations League quarter-finals. Hojlund came off the bench to bag the only goal of the game in the first leg and was then rewarded with a starting place for the second leg in Lisbon. With Portugal leading 3-2 after 90 minutes the tie headed into extra-time, with the home side adding another two goals to cement their place in the semi-finals.
Hojlund lasted 73 minutes before being hauled off and replaced by former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth.
And Danish media organisation DR slaughtered the 22-year-old for his display as they handed him a 2/10 for his efforts.
The outlet said he ‘struggled’ and took ‘too many bad touches.’ And it was also claimed he ‘waited far too long to pass to an otherwise free Gustav Isaksen’ at one stage.
Hojlund has endured a difficult spell since joining United from Atalanta in a £72million deal at the start of last season.
The talented star has been in and out of the side at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim and has contributed just 24 goals in 82 appearances for the club.
He has failed to make an impact in a series of huge games and has struggled to arrive in goalscoring positions at crucial moments. And the attacker will need to raise his game over the coming weeks if he is to prove his worth to Amorim ahead of the summer transfer window.
Hojlund found the back of the net in United’s final Premier League match ahead of the international break as the Red Devils thrashed Leicester 3-0.
But that was only his third top-flight goal of the campaign, with the ace registering 10 league goals last season.
And at the end of February, Amorim was forced to defend the striker for his lack of productivity as he explained: “I think it’s clear, we as a team aren’t helping Rasmus. We don’t create a lot of chances. We have a lack of threat and you can feel it in the games.
“I think Rasmus has a lot of potential. If we improve the way we play the game he will have more opportunities to score. He came here very young and, when you’re young to be the No. 9 and play all the time, sometimes it’s hard. It’s everything together.”