One Red is enduring stagnant form for Manchester United. (Getty Images)
Michael Owen has empathised with one out-of-sorts Manchester United star amid a truly turbulent campaign on all fronts.
It’s difficult for any player to flourish in the current set-up at Old Trafford, with the general atmosphere surrounding Old Trafford being one of despair – so much so that a fan group has urged match-goers to wear black for Sunday’s game against Arsenal to ‘symbolise how the club is slowly dying’. Yikes.
Yet, you still find the odd gem who’s able to almost single-handedly define matches or dictate the play. Prior to his gutting injury setback, Amad Diallo had proven to be a standout silver lining for the United faithful.
His tremendous performances week after week spared the team’s blushes on numerous occasions – primarily his late hat-trick to claim all three points against Southampton and goals against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Now that his absence is being sorely felt at Old Trafford, his attacking counterparts have come under the microscope for their inability to provide in front of goal. Alejandro Garnacho has not scored in the Premier League since November, while Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee haven’t since the start of December.
Why Owen ‘feels sorry’ for struggling Hojlund
Hojlund, being the side’s only out-and-out No.9, looks like a player completely bereft of confidence this campaign – and Owen has voiced his concerns for the young frontman.
“Back in the day, it was every striker’s dream to be a Manchester United striker because you’re virtually guaranteed to be one of the top scorers in the league,” Owen told BoyleSports, as cited by UtdDistrict.
“Look at the names that have worn the shirt over the years. Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney. You’re banging in goals left, right and centre.
“Nowadays, you could put Erling Haaland up there, and he wouldn’t score half the goals that he scores at Manchester City. It’s been a graveyard position over the last decade. So I absolutely do feel sorry for him (Hojlund).”
