Amorim told he’s working with a ‘damaged player’ as major ‘crisis’ needs to be solved before UEL SF – Shearer

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·21 avril 2025

Amorim told he’s working with a ‘damaged player’ as major ‘crisis’ needs to be solved before UEL SF – Shearer

Manchester United fell to a dismal 15th Premier League defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

Having just recovered from Thursday’s emphatic highs of booking their spot in the Europa League semi-finals with two last-gasp goals in extra-time, the Reds looked void of any attacking prowess or fresh ideas when tasked with claiming a much-needed league win.

Vidéos OneFootball

As a result, they finished the weekend in 14th place – but could drop as low as 16th depending how Tottenham Hotspur fare against Nottingham Forest tonight.

Throughout Sunday’s contest at Old Trafford, United recorded the majority of possession (60 per cent), the majority of passes (557 to the visitors’ 387) and a higher passing accuracy of 88 per cent. They also had 12 shots in total to Wolves four, though both sides found the target only twice, showing a major lack of clinicality on United’s part.

With Joshua Zirkzee out for the season and Amad chomping at the bit to return from his lengthy injury setback, Rasmus Hojlund made his 19th league start of the campaign to lead Ruben Amorim’s line.

Alan Shearer: ‘Damaged’ Hojlund not ready to be United’s CF

Hojlund has three Premier League goals to his name in 28 appearances this season. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The Dane played 70 minutes in total, eventually being withdrawn for teenage counterpart Chido Obi just minutes before Wolves broke the deadlock via a Pablo Sarabia free-kick.

Yet again, United’s No.9 failed to deliver for Amorim. The single shot he made was blocked, while he also had just 13 touches and completed only six of eight accurate passes (75 per cent). He won one of his four ground duels attempted and one of his six aerial duels attempted, as per Sofascore.

Hojlund lost possession four times, made one foul and was flagged offside once.

Reacting to yet another blank display from the 22-year-old on Match of the Day 2 (via BBC Sport), Alan Shearer expressed: “I am looking at a damaged player in Hojlund. He wasn’t ready and isn’t ready to lead the attack at a club like Man United.

“I am seeing a guy who doesn’t want to get in there. There is no doubt a crisis in confidence. He has been put into a really difficult situation.

“He is not at the stage of his career to lead the line. I’m not saying there is not a good player there, I think there is, but with the pressure there is, he is not ready to lead the line yet.”