Manchester United’s dismal run of form continued with a narrow defeat to Chelsea, marking their fifth loss in six Premier League matches. As pressure mounts ahead of the upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham, former club captain Roy Keane has delivered a scathing assessment of striker Rasmus Hojlund, who continues to struggle in front of goal.
United have collected just two points in the league since the start of April, the fewest of any side during that period. This poor run has seen them plummet to 16th in the Premier League table, hovering just above the relegation zone with only the three promoted teams and Tottenham below them.
With a potentially season-defining Europa League final in Bilbao looming, all eyes are on how the team and particularly underperforming players respond. For manager Ruben Amorim, who has already cast doubt over his future, the outcome could determine whether the campaign is salvaged or remembered as one of the worst in the club’s modern history.
Central to the criticism of United’s decline has been the form of Rasmus Hojlund. Signed two years ago for a hefty £72 million fee, expectations were high for the Danish striker. However, he has managed only four goals in 31 league appearances this season. His lack of end product and overall impact have drawn increasing scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Roy Keane, never one to mince his words, singled out Hojlund after the defeat at Stamford Bridge. The former United captain expressed his frustration at the forward’s lack of presence, saying Hojlund looked more like a raw academy product than a Premier League striker.
“He looked like he had just come out of the academy,” Keane remarked. “His runs weren’t right, his timing was off, and his hold-up play was non-existent. If you’re leading the line for Manchester United, you can’t be that ineffective.”
Keane emphasized that top clubs have strikers who make something happen even when service is lacking through quality, intelligence, or sheer determination. In his view, Hojlund currently lacks all three.
“Sometimes you have just got to do a little bit better,” Keane added. “Yes, he needs support, but he’s not showing the instincts or the sharpness you expect from a striker at this level.”
Despite the stakes, United fielded a relatively strong starting XI against Chelsea. Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Andre Onana were all included in the lineup, suggesting the club is trying to build rhythm ahead of the final. However, their performance remained lacklustre.
Keane’s criticism wasn’t limited to Hojlund. He also questioned the recent form of previously impressive young stars such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Both players had been bright spots in earlier parts of the season but, like much of the squad, have seen their levels dip in recent weeks.
With United’s top-flight season all but finished in terms of achievement, the Europa League final now represents a last shot at redemption. A win would not only secure silverware but also grant a backdoor entry into the Champions League, potentially sparing the team and management from further scrutiny.
However, based on current form, there’s little to suggest confidence. The players appear out of ideas, and key individuals, particularly up front, have failed to rise to the occasion. Whether they can regroup in time for Wednesday remains to be seen but as Keane pointedly highlighted, significant improvement is urgently required.
