Rooney backs Hojlund at Manchester United
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney said he still has faith in striker Rasmus Hojlund and found hope in his substitute performance in the Red Devils' draw with Arsenal.
After a poor first-half, United took the lead just before the break with a superb Bruno Fernandes free-kick only for Arsenal's Declan Rice to equalise on 74 minutes.
Shortly after the leveller, Hojlund was introduced into the contest and could have won it for his team, having squandered two glorious chances in front of goal.
The most notable of which came after Mikel Merino was pinched of possession on the edge of his box, but with the goal at his mercy, Hojlund was tackled by Rice as he was about to pull the trigger.
Hojlund is still struggling to adapt to life at Old Trafford, scoring just two goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season, but has found form in the Europa League, netting five times in nine outings in the competition this term.
Hojlund has failed to find the back of the net since scoring a brace in United's 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, though Rooney, the Red Devils' all-time leading goalscorer, said there is reason for optimism.
"There was one chance where his shot was blocked after he had shown fantastic movement to get to the near post," Rooney said.
"He goes once, he checks back, goes again, got across Gabriel and got good contact on his shot, so he did everything right. It is only a great block that stops the goal.
"The one that will be highlighted, though, is the one where Rice gets back and tackles him after the ball breaks for him in the area, and that was purely down to a lack of confidence.
"You see Hojlund take a touch, and then he looks up to see where he wants to put his shot when he doesn't have the time for that.
"That's the kind of scenario where, as a striker, if you are scoring goals, you don't even have to look up - you know where the goal is.
"That really showed how much he needs a goal."
Rooney also suggested that Ruben Amorim and his team-mates were not playing to his strengths, which has contributed to his struggles in front of goal.
"I've got faith in him. He's a good player who works hard, which is really important. He needs that bit of luck as well, but once he gets a break, then more goals will follow.
"As a striker for Manchester United, when you are not scoring goals there is a lot of pressure and a lot of people questioning if you can do it for United.
"The best thing for Hojlund to do is simplify it. Making runs into the penalty box is as easy at it comes.
"When you are short of confidence you have got to make sure you make it into the penalty area and put yourself in a position where you can score.
"We are still waiting to see Hojlund find his feet for United, but it's important to point out that the whole team have not been at their best.
"I feel for him from that point of view because, nine times out of 10, forwards rely on their team-mates for service.
"United have not been playing well or creating enough chances, so he has not been in a team dominating possession, sliding balls in behind the defence or putting balls into the box."
