Alan Shearer expressed his sympathy for Rasmus Hojlund after Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Hojlund has struggled to make his mark since moving from Atalanta to United back in 2023.
The 22-year-old netted 10 goals in all competitions in his first campaign at Old Trafford, while this term he has scored just three times in the Premier League.
Upon the Dane being hauled off after 70 minutes against Wolves on Sunday, Shearer, the Premier League record goalscorer, noted that Hojlund looked to be suffering from “a crisis in confidence”.
“I’m looking at a damaged player in Hojlund,” Shearer said on Match of the Day. “I think he wasn’t ready and isn’t ready to lead the line at a club like Manchester United.
“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 (suffering from) a crisis in confidence.”
Shearer added: “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.
“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 as yet.”
United are currently languishing in 14th in the Premier League, just two points ahead of 17th placed West Ham.
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