Rasmus Hojlund has come in for a scathing review from former Manchester United defender and fellow Denmark international John Sivebaek.
The Red Devils striker is having a difficult second season at Old Trafford, scoring just two Premier League goals in 17 outings so far this campaign.
He has enjoyed more success in the Europa League, scoring five times in six games, but it was back on 12 December in that competition that he last found the back of the net.
Sivebaek, who played for United in the 80s and won 87 caps for Denmark, thinks Hojlund should not be in the starting XI as he has been ‘completely hopeless’ and looks like a ‘boy among men’.
However, the Euro 92 winner does have sympathy for his compatriot who he says arrived with a lot of pressure and is playing in a team that is not functioning properly.
‘Should never have started [against Southampton] and apart from one good move where he set up Garnacho, he was completely hopeless again. A boy among men,’ he told Ekstra Bladet.
‘He’s struggling. But it’s also very difficult for such a young guy. There are high expectations for him to be the new Haaland, and that’s a lot of expectations at such a young age.
‘He’s playing in a team that doesn’t work, and you can’t blame him for underperforming. However, I think he works really hard for it.’
Sivebaek will echo the thoughts of plenty of Manchester United fans when he says watching the Red Devils has been a tough task this season.
He says ‘the crisis is big’ as results show no sign of improving under Ruben Amorim.
‘It is painful to look at as a former United player with the results they are making at the moment,’ he said.
‘We have been well used to it, and it is difficult to come after Sir Alex. He just won everything, and that’s hard to live up to.
‘But the crisis is big. It is because everyone expects more from Manchester United. They must be at the top, also considering the money that is spent on players.’
Hojlund will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet when the Red Devils host Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.