A look at the Manchester United headlines on Saturday, May 17
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Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund (L)
Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund (L)(Image: AFP or licensors)
Manchester United's full focus on the pitch is now on Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Their dismal Premier League season continued on Friday evening as they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea to ensure they will head into the last weekend of the season in a dire 16th place.
But they can end a dire domestic season with European glory on Wednesday but to do so, the fortunes of forward Rasmus Hojlund will have to change in Bilbao after another difficult night at Stamford Bridge.
One of United's transfer priorities this summer is to sign a new forward and that was only reinforced by another drab night in front of goal for the 22-year-old.
With all that in mind, here is a round-up of the key Manchester United headlines on Saturday, May 17.
United losing confidence in Hojlund
Three goals in 33 games is bad enough but Rasmus Hojlund's body language, and the unrestrained reactions of his teammates and coaches, are just as disconcerting.
Hojlund was complaining to Mason Mount, a sympathetic sounding board, in the second half at Chelsea. Mount offered an encouraging pat on the head and then exited the pitch. Hojlund was suddenly devoid of an ally.
At full-time, Hojlund turned to his fellow Scandinavian Victor Lindelof and was complaining about something or other. Lindelof soon spotted Jadon Sancho and was one of a handful of United players who acknowledged him.
The press box at Stamford Bridge is directly behind the dugouts, separated by maybe half-a-dozen rows of spectators. Ruben Amorim was particularly piqued with a Dane, though it was Patrick Dorgu. His assistant, Paulo Barreira, was most animated with Hojlund.
Another Portuguese, Bruno Fernandes, berated Hojlund in each half. After Hojlund killed an attack, there was that familiar sigh from the United supporters. It was all-too-familiar fare from a striker who is being bracketed with Garry Birtles, Radamel Falcao and Wout Weghorst.
You can read Samuel Luckhurst's full column, here.
£30m transfer plan reinforced
This was another game that showed Rasmus Hojlund's limitations as United's No.9. He was easily outfought by Chelsea centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who won almost every duel the two of them contested.
Hojlund also didn't do enough sharp work on the ground, and one loose lay-off to Fernandes in the first half summed it up. He should have found the captain with time to play a forward ball to get United moving, but he left a simple pass short and Fernandes had to rush his pass, which was blocked.
The midfielder glared at Hojlund as he retreated into shape and when the ball then went out of play, he rebuked United's No.9. It was another game that passed him by.
He received the ball in a dangerous position during a good spell early in the second half, but was then ponderous in possession and the move broke down. A minute later, Fernandes was under pressure in midfield and had no out-ball. When he was dispossessed, he reacted furiously at Hojlund, who had been stationary rather than giving him an option.
It was a reminder why a striker is right at the top of United's shopping list this summer, with £30million Liam Delap leading the race to lead the line next season.
Read the full story, here.
Alarm bells ringing
Rasmus Hojlund would benefit from a spell out of Manchester United's starting team.
But there are no other senior strikers available in the dressing room, which means Hojlund has been starting by default and lumbering up to deliver lifeless performances at centre-forward.
Another of those performances came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. Hojlund offered close to nothing in London, and Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero certainly won't be losing any sleep ahead of their tussle with the out-of-form striker in next week's Europa League final.
United fans have reached their breaking point with Hojlund. They have become tired of watching him each week, although Ruben Amorim seemed to take a more positive view on Friday.
Read the full story, here.