Michael Owen has urged Manchester United to present Rasmus Hojlund one other likelihood, believing the Dane could thrive in a side improving under Michael Carrick.
Hojlund arrived in Manchester from Atalanta in a £72million deal in 2024, immediately tasked with leading the road because the club’s only senior centre forward.
After a promising first campaign nonetheless, Hojlund struggled during his second season in England, scoring just 4 Premier League goals.
United revamped their attack last summer with Benjamin Sesko brought in. Deemed surplus to requirements, Hojlund joined Napoli on a season-long loan, scoring 10 goals back within the Italian top flight.
The deal that took Hojlind to Naples included an obligation to purchase clause should Antonio Conte’s side qualify for the Champions League.
While things may now be out of United’s hands, Owen believes Hojlund must be given one other likelihood to prove his price at Old Trafford where Carrick has built a ‘functioning’ side a striker can thrive in.
‘I don’t care who you play up front, it’s very hard to guage when the team aren’t functioning,’ Owen told Premier League Productions after United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday night.
‘Stirkers are the top of the chain, if the chain is broken, it’s pointless in some ways. I’d like to see Hojlund and see what he can do now.
‘He played in a Manchester United team that was broken and didn’t have any links and played poorly. Who’s to say he’s not likely good? He’s doing rather well in Italy now.
‘Sesko is identical, it was hard to guage but now that chain throughout the team is definitely working, you might be seeing a distinct style of player.
‘I just wonder how much wastage there was for a few years in. Everyone says the purchases have been poor and that is likely to be the case but sometimes they won’t get a good crack of the whip because they don’t get the service.’
Sesko was on the scoresheet against Brentford as United tightened their grip on third place within the Premier League.
They now just need two points from their remaining 4 games to substantiate their place in next season’s Champions League.
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