Ruben Amorim has been speaking after Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he admits that the club have been looking at ways to improve the squad ahead of the summer window, which includes the forwards.
Manchester United again struggled to find the net and were undone by a well-taken set-piece goal from Wolves forward Pablo Sarabia in the second half. It will be a blow for Amorim’s side, who were the much better side on the day.
One area that was notably struggling again was the forward line. The home side created chances, but either could not take them, or once they were created, there was nobody on the end of them to tap them home.
It’s a repeated issue for Amorim’s team this season, and the expectation is that a striker will be signed in the window to try and address the situation and struggles. Victor Osimhen has been linked in recent days, but the general consensus is that the Reds preferred target is Liam Delap.
The manager has admitted as much in his post-match press conference after the defeat to Wolves, detailing that they are looking at plans to improve the squad every single day, but he does feel the issue is much deeper than just one player.
Amorim aims to fix goalscoring issue
Amorim has declared United are working on fixing the goal-scoring issue within the team at the moment by looking at plans to improve the squad every day. It was another difficult day for Rasmus Hojlund, and while the manager admits the issue is much deeper than just the Danish forward, he refused to deny there was a chance he could be replaced this summer.
“We will address that in the end,” Amorim assured. “Of course, we have a plan, we talk about that every day but the season is not over, so let’s focus on that.”
“I think again it’s a team thing. Of course, we have an idea of what this team needs but also the guys we play with at least three guys in front, they can score goals. We play with midfielders that can reach and you see it today in the game.”
“All the team needs to score more goals and you have opportunities with the midfielders, with the striker, we need to improve as a team. If you do not score goals in this league it is impossible to win games.”
“I think if you look at the games, we have several players that missed big chances, not just Rasmus. But for Rasmus, the game is to score goals because he is a striker.”
“But it is a team thing. I have already said that. Our team should score more goals, it is not just Rasmus missing chances, it is all the team.”
“The only way I know is to work on him, show him the videos. He needed to score a goal, he will not score if he’s out (of the team). So I try to manage that during games. But he needs to score one, maybe that’s all a striker needs.”
Hojlund struggles not all his fault
Hojlund is on one of the worst goalscoring droughts of his career in the league, scoring just one goal in his last 18 Premier League games. The player has a clear confidence issue, which will not be resolved between now and the end of the campaign.
This current United side struggle to create chances within the box, but Hojlund also has to take his own share of the blame. The forward’s hold-up play as well as his finishing in comparison with last season is nowhere near the standard required at Manchester United.
Hojlund showcased last season he could finish, with his shot conversion rate among the best in the division under Erik ten Hag. Now, he seems to snatch at every chance he gets, which is further compounding the confidence issues, and making it hard for him to drag himself out of the rut he finds himself in.
A loan may be best for Hojlund to find his spark again. There remains a very talented player inside the Dane, but it needed the right development to thrive, and United at this moment isn’t that. It will be interesting to see what Amorim decides to do in the summer, because judging by his words, there is a chance he could leave the club when the time comes.
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