Update: Alan Shearer gives clear verdict on Manchester United attack as true Rasmus Hojlund point made News

Latest Manchester United news as Alan Shearer has shared his thoughts on the club’s struggling attack with verdicts on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has delivered his verdict on Manchester United’s attacking struggles this season, branding Rasmus Hojlund a ‘damaged player’.

Despite United’s Europa League heroics in midweek – fighting back from two goals down in extra time to defeat Lyon 5-4 (7-6 on aggregate) – they were brought back down to earth at the weekend with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Wolves. A superb second-half free-kick from Pablo Sarabia proved the difference on the day.

Ruben Amorim’s side dominated possession on Sunday but managed only two shots on target over the 90 minutes. Wolves have now drawn level with United on 38 points, though United remain 14th in the table due to a marginally better goal difference.

Speaking on the BBC’s Match of the Day, Shearer gave his view that Hpjlund is “damaged”, having scored just three Premier League goals this season. The 22-year-old joined from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 for a hefty £72 million fee, but has fallen well short of the expectations placed upon him – a situation the pundit believes has severely dented his confidence.

“I’m looking at a damaged player in Hojlund,” Shearer said. “I think he wasn’t ready and isn’t ready to lead the line at a club like Manchester United.

“Three Premier League goals, and at the minute I’m seeing a player that doesn’t really want to get in there. He’s perhaps a second too early or a second too late, and his timing is all wrong. I think there’s no doubt he’s [suffering from] a crisis in confidence.”

Hojlund isn’t the only United forward struggling to find form. Last summer’s marquee striker signing, Joshua Zirkzee, has posted similar modest numbers following his move from Bologna.

The Dutch striker has now been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during the recent league defeat to Newcastle United.

“He’s been put into a really difficult situation at a club where unless you’re exceptional, to lead the line for the football club you have to be really talented,” Shearer added. ‘He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be leading the line.

“I’m not saying there’s not a good player in there, I think there is a good player in there. But the pressure that’s on him in terms of doing what he can’t do and also the price-tag, he’s not ready to lead the line as yet.”

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