During the Manchester United vs. West Ham match, Rasmus Hojlund, a young striker for Manchester United, was substituted off in the 57th minute, much to his disappointment. Fans have expressed their disappointment with his performance, particularly his inability to score his first Premier League goal. Even his goals in the Champions League haven’t shielded him from criticism.

However, Erik ten Hag, the Manchester United manager, has shown full support for Hojlund. In a post-match interview after the defeat against West Ham, the Dutchman shed light on his decision to take the player off the field.

Ten Hag explained, “I think he’s a very strong character and can handle the pressure. I substituted him because he was ill during the week and lacked some energy. In that sense, I wаnted to protect him since we have two more games to play this week.”

It appears that Ten Hag’s decision was not based on Hojlund’s performance but rather concern for his health. While some have criticized the Danish international, statistics indicate that he may not be as bad as perceived. According to a stat posted by The Sun, Hojlund has received the fewest passes among all Premier League strikers, with Anthony Martial just above him.

This suggests that Manchester United has struggled to create meaningful chances overall. While it is true that Hojlund could improve his movement and disruptiveness, the team must also take responsibility for their lack of creativity in the final third.