Ruben Amorim will have been frustrated with how Manchester United performed against Chelsea on Friday night.
It was a toothless and timid display from a team that is supposed to be playing a European final on Wednesday.
Manchester United cannot afford to play in the same manner against Tottenham at the San Mames, otherwise the chances of winning would be incredibly slim.
Despite this, Ruben Amorim stated he was happy with his players fighting right until the end, as this showcased their desire to win.
However, despite what Amorim says, the fact remains that United are winless in eight Premier League games, and with domestic opposition in the Europa League final, this is a big concern.
In the 1-0 defeat United suffered to Chelsea, it became very clear that one player simply cannot start the final.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund has played his way out of starting the Europa League final
It was a bad night for United, similar to the majority of this Premier League campaign, but Rasmus Hojlund individually stood out as a poor performer.
More United News
The Dane was in horrendous form, failing to have a single shot and losing nine of his 11 duels, as shown by SofaScore. During the disappointing game, Hojlund left Bruno Fernandes frustrated with his poor passing, completing 11 passes in 90 minutes, and also the seven minutes of added time.
An infographic showing Rasmus Hojlund's stats for Manchester United against Chelsea.
An infographic created by SofaScore.
This performance was the latest in a long line for the number nine, but it led to plenty of criticism. Roy Keane said that Hojlund doesn’t have ‘football intelligence’, before also explaining he is finished making excuses for the 22-year-old.
With Hojlund offering practically nothing in the striker role, it effectively leaves United with 10 men in every game instead of 11, putting the Red Devils at an instant disadvantage. Due to this, Amorim may have to take drastic measures against Spurs in the final with a clear message to Ineos.
Kobbie Mainoo can be Ruben Amorim’s striker for Manchester United in the final
Starting Hojlund in the final would be an incredibly poor decision from Amorim and would make some question him as the head coach, considering the body of evidence to suggest he shouldn’t start.
Instead, Amorim should revert back to an experiment he attempted earlier this season when Kobbie Mainoo started as a striker for a couple of games.
Mainoo is far from the ideal striker option, but he offers more in link-up play and hold-up play than Hojlund, while also being more reliable in front of the goal with his finishing showcased against Lyon.
To drop Hojlund for the final would be a huge message sent directly to Ineos that Hojlund has to go this summer with upgrades needed at Old Trafford.
This would be a second final running for which Hojlund has been dropped, and it should result in his exit this summer; the performance at Chelsea was the final straw.