In a disappointing outing, Manchester United's 22-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund came frustratingly close to making a significant impact during a match where his team mustered only two shots on target. The moment that stood out was when Hojlund failed to connect with a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho at the far post. Positioned less than a yard from the goal, a mere touch from him would have likely redirected the ball into the net, showcasing the missed opportunity that characterized United's struggles.

Hojlund's performance has led to growing concerns about his ability to lead the line for a top Premier League team. Although he had a brief surge of form early in the season under manager Ruben Amorim, scoring five goals in four games, he has since faded, with only eight goals in a longer span last season. Comparisons have been drawn between him and other strikers in the league such as Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Bukayo Saka; Hojlund's current performance falls short of these elite players.

Amorim finds himself in a challenging position where he cannot openly criticize Hojlund but instead must focus on developing him. He stated, The only way I know is to work on him and show him the videos. The manager emphasized the importance of Hojlund scoring to regain his confidence, noting that he cannot score if he is not on the pitch. This strategy includes managing him effectively during games to keep his spirits high.

However, Amorim was keen to point out that Hojlund should not bear the entire burden of United's goal-scoring difficulties. As the statistics reveal, only Everton and West Ham have scored fewer goals than United's 38 this season, underscoring a collective failure. If you look at the games, we have several players who miss big chances, not just Rasmus, Amorim remarked. He reiterated that the onus is not solely on Hojlund to deliver goals; the entire team must step up.

This season has been particularly hard for United, with eight Premier League home defeatsmarking their worst record at Old Trafford since the 1962-63 season. The team still has two games remaining against West Ham and Aston Villa, presenting an opportunity to equal or surpass that dismal record.

With a potential 15th league loss loominga club record in the Premier League eraAmorim is left to sift through the wreckage for any positives. One bright spot highlighted during the match against Wolves was the performance of 20-year-old center-back Tyler Fredricson, who made a commendable first-team debut, alongside 18-year-old wing-back Harry Amass, who raised eyebrows regarding his absence earlier in the season.

As the season wears on, Amorim recognizes that the team's fortunes may hinge on their campaign in the Europa League. The upcoming semi-final against Athletic Bilbao is crucial, followed by a potential final against either Tottenham or Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt. Amorim faces the daunting task of assuring fans that brighter days lie ahead amidst these turbulent times. We tell the fans the truth that we lack a lot of things in our team; if we dont score goals, we arent going to win, he stated. He emphasized a commitment to improvement and a plan for the future, even as they navigate a challenging league season.

The situation has been exacerbated by United's inability to perform against teams like Wolves, who managed a league double over them this season, thereby securing their own Premier League status. Vitor Pereira, Wolves' manager, has effectively turned his teams fortunes around since his arrival in December, illustrating the stark contrast between the fortunes of the two clubs.

Pereira highlighted the importance of creating a connection between players and supporters, stating, The most important thing is to create a connection with the people. His focus on instilling energy, confidence, and trust has evidently paid dividends, while Amorim's challenges continue to mount.

In conclusion, the pressing issue remains the lack of goals, and unless Amorim can devise a solution to this persistent problem, Manchester United's season will continue to falter.