Rasmus Hojlund, a striker for Manchester United, acknowledges that the team is in “crisis” following their sixth loss of the year. The summer acquisition scored twice in the Champions League match against Galatasaray on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to earn the hosts even a point as they were jeered off the field at Old Trafford.
When playing the Turkish powerhouses, United took the lead twice, including in the 67th minute thanks to a superb solo strike from Hojlund. However, the visitors tied the score once more before the outcome of the match changed.
After Casemiro was dismissed from the game, the Red Devils were down to 10 men. With nine minutes left in regulation, Mauro Icardi scored the game-winning goal after missing the next penalty. In addition to four losses in their first seven Premier League games, United has also dropped both of its initial two games in the Champions League.
Hojlund maintains that the team must remain together in this situation, which he called a “crisis”. The 22-year-old said to CBS Sports when asked what could be done to turn around United’s situation: “It’s hard to know.
“I believe we need to strengthen our bonds and restore the group’s confidence. We can only overcome this issue if we work to grow better together and stick with one another.
“You could say that [there is a lack of confidence]. I believe it’s about having pride and standing up for the badge, and we need to give more to the team, the fans, and ourselves.
It wasn’t the first time this season that United’s home supporters had booed them off. Manager Erik ten Hag is aware of the response and is motivated to make a change as quickly as possible.
Yes, I can understand, he replied. They can expect me to be accountable for this team’s performance and outcome together with my squad, so when we aren’t getting the results right now and people are upset, I completely understand.
“We need to improve, but as I’ve already mentioned, I’ve seen a team with great enthusiasm that was also supported by a crowd from the beginning to the finish. In the end, the fans are sad, just like we are, but it just serves as fuel.
“That is the good thing for this team: every game, every time the game starts, there was a team with a lot of energy and with a good motivation to start the game,” the coach said.