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Manchester United’s dismal run of form continued on Friday night as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their latest Premier League encounter.
Marc Cucurella’s second-half strike proved to be the decisive goal, securing all three points for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. This loss marked Manchester United’s 18th league defeat of the season, a grim statistic that surpasses their tally from the 1973-74 season (20 losses), a year that also saw them relegated.
The Red Devils have now gone eight consecutive Premier League games without a victory, managing only two draws during this torrid spell.
Once again, striker Rasmus Hojlund endured a frustrating outing, struggling to hold up the ball and making minimal impact on the game. However, despite the evident struggles, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim offered a surprising assessment of the young forward’s performance.
“I’m happy with Hojlund. Of course, all the team has to improve, but the way he runs, he fights for every ball, loses a lot of duels, wins some duels. But he is improving. I’m really happy with him, he just needs to continue working hard and better things will come,” Amorim told reporters.
This statement raises questions about Rasmus Hojlund’s future at Manchester United beyond this season. The Danish international has struggled to find the net consistently, managing a mere 10 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions, with only four of those coming in the Premier League this season. His movement in the final third has also appeared lackluster.
Due to his significant dip in form, Manchester United are reportedly exploring the acquisition of a new striker this summer, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap being heavily linked.
Overall, Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford appears precarious, with limited interest reportedly shown by other clubs given his current performances. Amorim faces a significant decision regarding the 22-year-old’s role moving forward. In the immediate future, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese tactician will entrust him with a starting position in the crucial Europa League final.
Despite their disastrous domestic campaign, Manchester United have an opportunity to salvage their season by winning the Europa League, which would secure a coveted Champions League qualification spot for next season. Starting an out-of-form Hojlund in such a high-stakes game against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, May 22, at the San Mames stadium in Spain, could be a risky proposition.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Hojlund, Italian outlet Calciomercato reports that Juventus are considering a move for the Danish striker and have initiated talks with Manchester United regarding a potential deal.
Hojlund joined Manchester United in 2023 from Atalanta for a substantial £64 million fee, with an additional £8 million in performance-related add-ons. His current contract extends until 2028. Consequently, the Red Devils would likely incur significant financial losses if they were to offload the player to Juventus this summer.