The 7 pm kickoff at Craven Cottage proved to be a lackluster affair, with little excitement until Lisandro Martinez’s deflected effort broke the deadlock in the 78th minute. While Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory, their performance left much to be desired, especially in attack, where they struggled to create chances throughout the match.
Coming off the back of a dramatic Europa League victory over Rangers on Thursday, United fans were hoping for a stronger display. However, frustrations mounted as the team managed only one shot on target in the entire game. A key focus of criticism was £67 million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund, whose struggles in adapting to English football were on full display.
The Danish striker had a particularly poor outing, registering just 10 touches in the first half and failing to impose himself on the game. His inability to control the ball and his frequent loss of possession drew sharp criticism from fans.
After a disappointing opening 45 minutes, Hojlund’s struggles continued into the second half, leading to his substitution in the 58th minute. Joshua Zirkzee replaced him in an attempt to rejuvenate United’s faltering attack, but the change offered little improvement.
Hojlund’s underwhelming form has been a growing concern for Manchester United. The striker has scored only two Premier League goals this season and has failed to find the back of the net in 37 of his 49 league appearances. Such statistics highlight the difficulty he’s faced in making an impact since his big-money move to Old Trafford.
Fans expressed their dissatisfaction with Hojlund’s performances on social media. Some called for the striker to be loaned out to develop his skills further, while others went as far as suggesting he should be sold, with one fan sarcastically recommending Coventry City as his next destination. Comparisons were also made to former United striker Wout Weghorst, with some arguing that Weghorst offered more to the team than Hojlund has so far.
Others speculated that if Sir Alex Ferguson were still in charge, Hojlund would already have been offloaded. The growing criticism reflects the mounting pressure on the 20-year-old forward to justify his price tag and deliver consistent performances.
While Manchester United’s victory against Fulham secured three points, the team’s lack of attacking creativity and Hojlund’s poor form have left fans concerned about the club’s ability to compete effectively in the long term.
