The Premier League’s most successful striker says he is looking at a good but “damaged” player in Rasmus Hojlund
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has condemned Manchester United for their treatment of striker Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international has largely played at the centre of United’s blunt forward line this season and has faced criticism over poor performances that have seen him score only once in 27 matches.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said that Hojlund was given an impossible job at the one of the biggest stages in world football and it has drained his confidence.
“I think he wasn’t ready and isn’t ready to lead the line at a club like Manchester United,” said Shearer, who scored 260 Premier League goals in 441 appearances.
“Three Premier League goals, and at the minute I’m seeing a player that doesn’t really want to get in there. He’s perhaps a second too early or a second too late, and his timing is all wrong. I think there’s no doubt he’s [in a] a crisis in confidence.
The Premier League’s most successful forward insists that Hojlund is a good player, but that he just is not ready to deliver alone at that level just yet.
“He’s been put into a really difficult situation at a club where unless you’re exceptional, to lead the line for the football club you have to be really talented,” said Shearer.
“He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be leading the line. I’m not saying there’s not a good player in there, I think there is a good player in there.
“But the pressure that’s on him in terms of doing what he can’t do and also the price-tag, he’s not ready to lead the line just yet.”
