RUBEN AMORIM PRAISES MANCHESTER UNITED UNSUNG HERO 'WHO NEEDED 10 MINUTES' TO SHINE IN ATHLETIC CLUB WIN

Ruben Amorim piled the praise on his Manchester United substitutes after they inspired a comeback victory over Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final second leg. Mikel Jauregizar gave the visitors a deserved lead at Old Trafford but the Basque club failed to capitalise on their dominance as United staged an impressive second-half performance.

Mason Mount drew the second leg level with a stunning effort from the edge of the box, before Casemiro headed in a second to put his side ahead on the night. Rasmus Hojlund poked in a third to seal the victory and Mount grabbed a spectacular brace with an effort from close to the halfway line.

Mount and fellow substitute Amad Diallo drew most of the praise for their contribution from the bench, though Amorim was also full of praise for Kobbie Mainoo, who helped United control the midfield battle in the closing stages of the match.

Mainoo the unsung hero

Speaking after the 4-1 victory over Athletic Club on Thursday night, Ruben Amorim made sure to praise the Manchester United substitutes for their impact. Most of the praise was for Mason Mount, though the United head coach also drew attention to the role Kobbie Mainoo played from the bench.

"I'm so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality," Amorim told TNT Sports. "I really like Kobbie Mainoo, just 10 minutes but everything he did was really good and sometimes you're on the bench and can change the game.

“When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player you just want to help him. He is perfect for this position as he can be a midfielder, but also runs like a winger so I'm really happy for him.

"When you have a full squad you can think about the game. Sometimes we're surviving with people in different positions, but with more options you can change the game and push forwards and these things can help you win games."

- Rich Fay

BRUNO FERNANDES IS CARRYING MANCHESTER UNITED ON HIS SHOULDER

 

RASMUS HOJLUND ON HIS IDOL CRISTIANO RONALDO

 

"CRIMINAL!': HOJLUND FUMES AT MAN UTD SHOCKING FAILURE

@IMAGO

Rasmus Hojlund may be on a run of 19 games without a goal but the Manchester United star will be fuming at the ‘criminal’ actions of his teammate that prevented him from breaking his barren run.

Hojlund once again failed to score as United were held to a 1-1 draw in their Europa League knockout first leg against Real Sociedad but one moment in the match perhaps proved why the 22-year-old has continued to struggle in front of goal this season

United found themselves on the break during the first half with Diogo Dalot surging down the right side but, despite Hojlund making a run into the penalty area, the right-back failed to find his teammate and the chance eventually came to nothing.

Hojlund was seen raging at Dalot for failing to make the obvious pass which would have put United ahead and his emotions were echoed by former Red Devils legend Paul Scholes, who branded the defender’s decision as ‘criminal’.

"The frustrating thing is, for 20 minutes we saw them warming up, and that's exactly what they were practising. Into the wing-back, crossing it first time,” Scholes told TNT Sport.

“For Dalot not to see that, is criminal really. Hojlund, he's made a great run. For any right-back in world football not to see that is criminal, and that's an easy goal for Hojlund."

© IMAGO - Rasmus Hojlund has struggled at Old Trafford

Service please!: How United are failing to rescue Hojlund from woeful form

Hojlund has scored just two Premier League goals in 22 appearances this season, although the 22-year-old has found the back of the net five times in nine Europa League games.

With just five teams scoring fewer goals than United this season, manager Ruben Amorim is desperate to sign a new striker in the summer in a move that could see Hojlund leave United.

There were high hopes when United paid €74 million to Atalanta for Hojlund in 2023, particularly as he netted ten league goals in his debut campaign, however his second season has proven disastrous.

Hojlund will point to situations like the Dalot error as a prime example of the lack-of-service he has had to endure during his time at Old Trafford, particularly with the youngster having just 0.7 shots per game in the league this season.

That number is lower than defensive players such as Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, with nine players in United’s squad having had more shots per game than Hojlund.

While United do lack a proven goalscorer, it has become evident that players such as Dalot cannot thrive in Amorim’s system, with more complete and creative players needed to get the best out of Hojlund.

However, with United struggling to generate funds for transfers, it appears Hojlund could end up a casualty sale as Amorim desperately seeks quality to rescue his side from hopeless mediocrity.

- Suraj Radia

MAN UNITED MISERY CONTINUES AS GALATASARAY WIN 3-2 AT OLD TRAFFORD

Reuters

Manchester United's miserable season continued with a 3-2 home defeat by Galatasaray as Casemiro was sent off giving away a penalty which Mauro Icardi missed before scoring the winner to leave the hosts bottom of Champions League Group A on Tuesday.

Looking to put a fourth Premier League defeat of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday to the backs of their minds, United flew out of the traps in the Manchester rain, racing into a 17th-minute lead through Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Their advantage lasted less than six minutes however as Wilfried Zaha, playing against his former club, scooped home the equaliser after poor defending from the hosts.

After the break, Hojlund brilliantly capitalised on a slip from Galatasaray defender Davinson Sanchez to clip United back in front in the 67th minute, only for Kerem Akturkoglu to level four minutes later and stun Old Trafford into silence.

A mistake from United goalkeeper Andre Onana forced Brazilian midfielder Casemiro to conceded a penalty, which saw him sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

HOJLUND READY FOR UNITED DEBUT AT ARSENAL, SAYS TEN HAG

Reuters 

Rasmus Hojlund is fit and available for Manchester United and could make his debut in their Premier League game against Arsenal this weekend, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday.

The Danish striker joined the club from Atalanta for a reported fee of 72 million pounds ($91.22 million) before the season began, but has yet to feature for United due to a back injury.

"He had a good training week, tomorrow we have a final training, but he is doing well, he is responding well, so yeah he will be available for Sunday's game," Ten Hag told reporters before the game with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Another player who could make his first appearance for the club is new signing Sergio Reguilon. The Spanish left back has arrived from Tottenham Hotspur.