Rasmus Hojlund has struggled for form in his second season at Manchester United.
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Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund has endured a difficult season at Man United
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones thinks Rasmus Hojlund would benefit from leaving Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old has endured a tough second season in Manchester and has so far failed to live up to the hefty fee transfer fee. United forked out £72million to Atalanta in 2023, but the Danish striker has struggled to find rhythm in the club's attacking setup.
In all competitions this term, Hojlund has managed just 10 goals and four assists across 50 games, with the bulk of his goal contributions - nine in total - coming in the Europa League. Manager Ruben Amorim had alternated between Hojlund and summer arrival Joshua Zirkzee, until the latter suffered an injury that sidelined him for much of the rest of the season.
Jones, who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's last Premier League-winning side in 2013, feels that Hojlund might thrive better under the guidance of someone like Jose Mourinho, who likes using classic centre forwards.
Speaking to OLBG, Jones described the Danish attacker as: "A typical Jose Mourinho type of player - typical No.9." He added: "It's a difficult one, I feel really sorry for him [Hojlund]. It's obviously been a difficult season for him, but I always find it's difficult for a No. 9 in a difficult season."
"He's probably not getting the chances, you know, the seven, eight chances a game. He's feeding off one or two that might come into him in the 70th minute, and he's got to produce.
Jose Mourinho
Jones thinks Hojlund would work well in a Mourinho team(Image: Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu via Getty Images.)
"It hasn't quite happened for him yet. It's been difficult for him, but I think if he were to move on, he would probably benefit from that. A bit like Marcus [Rashford], it's a fresh start for him.
"It's a difficult one for Rasmus Hojlund. What I would say is, I think that Man United will be looking for another No. 9. Maybe that would take a bit of the pressure off him as well if he can manage his minutes between the two No. 9s."
Mourinho, who left United during the 2018/19 season after being dismissed, later took charge of Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma, and is now managing Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. Notably, Turkish publication Sozcu recently reported that Mourinho is interested in bringing Hojlund to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Rasmus Hojlund in action against Fenerbahce
Jones thinks Hojlund would benefit from a move away
Meanwhile, there's speculation that Amorim could pursue a new striker of his own, having inherited both Hojlund and Zirkzee from Erik ten Hag's tenure. United are also said to be eyeing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, casting doubt on Hojlund's future at the club.
Delap, a former Manchester City youth player, is believed to have a £30million release clause. It's understood he's interested in a move to United, as he's keen to relocate back to the north west.
The Englishman has caught the eye despite his team suffering relegation, scoring 12 goals and registering two assists. In addition, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres - a prolific forward who thrived under Amorim - is another name reportedly on United's radar, and could follow his former coach to Old Trafford this summer.