Rasmus Hojlund: Struggling striker addresses 'hard times' at Manchester United, hopes 'back to basics' approach will turn form around
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Published 11/05/2025 at 14:16 GMT+1
Rasmus Hojlund has faced his fair share of critics this season after mustering just four Premier League goals for Manchester United. The Denmark international has admitted he felt "frustrated" and "down" during "hard times" amid a dry spell in front of goal, but believes getting "back to basics" will help him turn things around after a run of two goals in three games.
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Rasmus Hojlund believes getting "back to basics" will help him prove his worth at Manchester United after feeling "frustrated" during "hard times" this season.
The Denmark international joined United from Atalanta for £72 million in the summer of 2023, but two years of unconvincing displays have resulted in speculation that he could be sold in the summer.
Hojlund bagged a respectable 16 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign but has managed just four Premier League goals in 2024/25 and mustered just one in a four-month dry spell between December and April.
However, the 22-year-old, who scored twice in his last three games and received the backing of United captain Bruno Fernandes recently, insists he is on the right path to rediscovering his best form.
"Obviously, there have been hard times for me," Hojlund said.
"When you go without a goal for a lot of games - I wouldn’t say I lost self-belief, but you’re going to be a bit more down and a bit more frustrated.
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"It’s been about going back to basics and focusing on what I can do to try and improve myself. I will check myself, chat with my team-mates, get in better positions, these sorts of things.
"It is the hard times that make you better, and you learn a lot from them. I have always said I know what this football club is all about, and it’s a lot of pressure, but that is why I’m here. I want to show myself on the biggest stage."
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'Not good enough' in Premier League
Hojlund is far from the only United player to have underperformed this season, as Ruben Amorim’s side sit 15th in the standings with three games to go of a disastrous Premier League campaign.
However, an impressive run to the UEFA Europa League final, where United will meet fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - offers the club a chance at major silverware and a route into next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Hojlund, who scored six goals in United’s run to the final, including one in a stunning 7-1 aggregate semi-final win over Athletic Club, isn’t hiding away from a poor year domestically but believes the club must look forward with optimism.
"We’re very happy about being in the final, but it can’t take away the focus from the entire season," he said.
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"Domestically, it has not been good enough - but then again, we play to win trophies, and we are in a good position to win a European one.
"I think we’ve been improving in the last few weeks, even though the results in the Premier League have not been overly good, just in Europe.
"But in the Premier League we are gradually getting there - although we know we need to get better.
"We are focusing on the opportunity we have here. That can give us something from this year to take into the next season - because winning a trophy is always important for a club this size."
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