Rasmus Hojlund’s Manchester United Nightmare: From Golden Hope To ‘Complete Failure’ And Uncertain Future
Manchester United fans and pundits alike are asking difficult questions about young Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, whose dramatic slump in form continues to dominate headlines after a dismal Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw against Lyon. Once the club’s £64m golden hope, Hojlund’s struggles have become emblematic of United’s attacking woes – and his Old Trafford future now appears shrouded in doubt.
The match itself ended 2-2 but provided little solace for Hojlund. Substituted after 63 anonymous minutes, he watched as substitute Joshua Zirkzee made an immediate impact, heading home to briefly give United a 2-1 lead before Rayan Cherki’s late equaliser. But it was the damning verdicts delivered by French media the next morning that truly encapsulated the depth of the crisis. Foot Mercato labelled Hojlund’s outing “a failed match” and handed him a lowly 4/10, citing “soft and not very dangerous shots, completely missed passes.” That paled in comparison to MaxiFoot and Homme du Match, both of whom delivered a brutal 2/10 rating, declaring his performance “catastrophic,” “completely misfired,” and a “complete failure.”
The scathing appraisals did not stop at external sources. Esteemed outlet L’Equipe, notorious for their tough ratings, singled out Hojlund as the lowest-performing player on the pitch—lower even than the much-maligned goalkeeper Andre Onana, who himself was culpable for both Lyon goals and embroiled in pre-match controversy with Nemanja Matic. L’Equipe was blunt: “Rasmus Hojlund (2) contributed absolutely nothing to his team. He was easily shut down by the Lyon defence.” It sums up a miserable recent run, with the striker now having just one goal in 25 appearances in all competitions.
This withering criticism comes in the context of United’s broader problems up front. While Bruno Fernandes (rated 8/10) offers the only consistent offensive output, the squad otherwise appears “anaemic” going forward—bad news for a club whose Champions League ambitions hinge on their Europa League run. With new boss Ruben Amorim running out of patience and options, reports swirl that United are preparing to move on from Hojlund as early as this summer. The club, sources claim, seeks to recoup funds for reinvestment and may target a different frontman, with Ipswich’s Liam Delap among the names linked.
For Hojlund, introspection offers scant comfort. Recently, he confessed in an interview with Danish media: “Why the hell is it that I can't score? Where is it that it's going wrong?” His self-doubt mirrors the assessment of fans and analysts, many of whom are ready to cut their losses or advocate for a loan move. The recent success of United loanees—such as Diogo Dalot at AC Milan and Amad Diallo with Sunderland—suggests it might be the lifeline Hojlund needs to recapture his confidence and rediscover the form that once made him Europe’s brightest young prospect. As transfer speculation grows, Italian clubs like Napoli are reportedly circling, hopeful of resurrecting his career in Serie A.
Despite the bleak outlook, Hojlund insists he will not “lie down and give up,” but the path to redemption at United is narrow and increasingly perilous. Unless he can rapidly reverse this alarming slide, the curtain may fall on his Old Trafford adventure before it ever truly began.
Will Rasmus Hojlund be able to revive his Manchester United fortunes, or is a loan—or even a sale—now inevitable? Have United been too quick to write off a young talent, or have his performances left the club with little choice? Join the discussion below: leave your thoughts and share your perspective on his future.
