“Strip it back, simplify”: Rio Ferdinand tells Rasmus Hojlund exactly how to snap out of current slump | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has advised Rasmus Hojlund to simplify his game in order to explode into life, after another tepid performance over the weekend.

Hojlund was poor again as United slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. The low point of his disappointing performance came when he squandered a golden goalscoring chance, failing to convert after Alejandro Garnacho set him up perfectly.

After the match, Ruben Amorim was asked whether he had considered taking Hojlund out of the firing line, but the United head coach maintained that the striker needs to play through his struggles and regain form on the pitch.

Amorim also emphasised that the lack of goals is a team issue and not just down to Hojlund.

Hojlund’s tepid display against Vitor Pereira’s men saw Alan Shearer brand the Dane “a damaged player” and now, Ferdinand has weighed in on the debate.

Speaking on the Rio Present podcast, the six-time Premier League winner said, “He’s got to get hold of the winger and say ‘this is what I need. When you’re in these positions this is what I’d like.'”

“Let’s take it back. Put yourself in positions to show your best attributes. At the moment we’re seeing far too many of your weakest attributes. You need to free yourself up from any contact and start running.”

Ferdinand continued, “That’s the one big thing I would say to any player struggling for confidence. Strip it back, simplify and do what has got you there.”

Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added, “I think the moments you see him struggle are when his back is to play. So don’t put yourself in that spot all the time, spin.”

“The guy is one of the quickest players in Europe by the way. The problem is he gets caught all the time, he takes too many touches.”

Hargreaves argued that Hojlund should model his game on Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.

United are back in action on Sunday when they go away to the Vitality to face Bournemouth.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social