Misfiring Hojlund goes 18 matches without goal: Is it his fault or the tactics?

Pressure is growing on Rasmus Hojlund and a debate has opened over why he is doing so badly

United’s FA Cup exit on penalties to Fulham marked Hojlund’s 18th straight game without a goal since his brace against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12.

Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee has notched just one in 16 outings for a team struggling to spark in the final third. Trailing against Fulham, it was Hojlund—the £72m signing from Atalanta in 2023—who was subbed off for 17-year-old Chido Obi.

The 22-year-old Dane managed one wayward shot from a Christian Eriksen cross, barely troubling the scoresheet. Zirkzee, 23, fared little better with a single off-target flick, while Obi fired off three shots, including one that drew a stunning save from Bernd Leno.

Boss Ruben Amorim has pinned Hojlund’s woes on poor service, a problem worsened by Amad Diallo’s injury, Marcus Rashford’s loan to Aston Villa, and Antony’s temporary switch to Real Betis.

Last month, Antony even outscored United’s entire squad for February with three goals in La Liga. Fans voiced discontent before the Fulham game as Alejandro Garnacho started on the bench. Until his 53rd-minute entry, wing-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot offered scant threat going forward.

Garnacho helped set up Bruno Fernandes’ leveller as United pushed bodies forward—unlike the first half, where Hojlund and Zirkzee were stranded. “United’s tempo is too sluggish, the ball movement lacks zip, and the strikers are left hanging,” Wayne Rooney told BBC Match of the Day.

“Hojlund’s isolated, holding up play with no support. He’s eager but alone. Zirkzee’s losing possession too often. There’s a creativity deficit—they’re not linking with midfield or defense.”

Last season, Hojlund’s first league goal came on December 26, sparking eight in eight before ending with 16 in 43 games. This term, he’s at seven in 35, averaging 1.5 shots and 3.5 touches in the opposition box per match—well below Garnacho (8.4), Diallo (7.3), Rashford (5.1), and Zirkzee (4.7).

Fernandes and Casemiro also outshoot him. Compare that to his 12 goals in 21 games at Sturm Graz or 10 in 34 at Atalanta, and it’s stark. Liverpool’s Salah and Diaz racked up 16 box touches against Manchester City recently—United’s attack looks static by contrast.