“Maybe he…” Wayne Rooney defends Manchester United star after what fans spotted following Arsenal draw

Wayne Rooney has launched to the defence of one struggling Manchester United player after a touching moment fans spotted following the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Manchester United and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, with Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant free-kick cancelled out by Declan Rice’s long-range strike.

Arsenal dominated possession early but struggled to create clear chances. United took the lead just before half-time when Fernandes curled a superb free-kick past David Raya.

After the break, United were forced into a change as Ayden Heaven replaced the injured Leny Yoro. They pushed for a second, but Raya denied Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee with excellent saves.

Arsenal found their equaliser through Rice, who drilled a powerful shot past André Onana. Rúben Amorim introduced Rasmus Højlund and Toby Collyer in search of a winner, but Raya’s late heroics ensured the points were shared.

Rooney launches defence of Højlund

One player who has come under increasing pressure and criticism in the last few months is Højlund, who has failed to score across his last 20 appearances for the club despite starting 15 of these.

The Danish international was on the bench against Arsenal but played played 14 minutes in the second half and missed two chances, one of which saw the player fail to shoot after being presented with a golden chance to win the game before being stopped by Rice.

However former United legend Wayne Rooney has come to the aid of Højlund, explaning that he still has faith in the 22-year-old who is lacking in sufficient service, and that all the player must do is simplify his game to rediscover his form.

“You know, a striker for Manchester United, when you’re not scoring goals, there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of people talking about you,” Rooney told BBC Sport.

“Can you do it for Manchester United? I think the best thing to do is simplify it and obviously making the runs into penalty boxes is as easy as it comes, you have to make them runs.

“But simplifying the game, getting the ball, laying it off, getting in the box, getting the ball out wide, getting in the penalty box, putting yourself in the best position to score goals. Nine times out of 10 you’re relying on your team-mates to give you chances and put the ball in the box or slide balls in behind.”

He added: “Maybe he hasn’t been doing that, he hasn’t been getting that service of late. But I’ve got faith in him. I think he is a good player and he works hard. I think that’s really important as well. I think he just needs that goal and once he gets it, they’ll all start coming.”

Fans spot touching Højlund moment after the game

A lot of focus has continued to be on Højlund amid his barren scoring run. Although Alejandro Ganracho has also been on a similar run, he has still impacted the team both from the start and off the bench, with Amorim stating that his display against Arsenal was the best he has seen from the winger.

However, it’s not jsut Rooney who still has faith in the striker. After the Arsenal draw, former United goalkeeper and club legend Peter Schmeichel was spotted embracing Højlund, clearly comforting a player who is going through a tough time.

Although there is a vast differing of opinion among United fans regarding whether Højlund can become a success at United, there is a general consensus that he is suffering from the club’s poor recruitment in the last few seasons.

Read More: Manchester United star firmly in Rúben Amorim’s plans despite “massive concern” surrounding initial transfer

At just 22 years of age, Højlund should by no means be the most senior striker at the club, and following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure late last year, the youngster has little senior guidance from experienced forwads.

Most young players at United have always had senior pros to look to during tough moments, but Højlund is all alone. Against Arsenal, injuries meant he was the oldest player on the bench, which should not be happening.

United want to sign a senior striker this summer, and there is hope that this will both help solve United’s goal-scoring issues as well as provide Højlund with an experienced player to look up to.

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