Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United’s wingers are not providing Rasmus Hojlund with the service he needs
Manchester United have had a difficult start to the season, and their marquee summer signing, 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund, is yet to open his account in the Premier League. However, he has netted three in three in the Champions League, and Rio Ferdinand believes wingers Antony and Marcus Rashford must go back to basics and do more to provide the towering Dane with the service he requires.
‘I think we need to get to a place where we’re actually playing to our players’ strengths,’ said Ferdinand on his FIVE YouTube channel. ‘You look at Hojlund, he wants the ball crossed. You saw the header he scored in the Champions League, you see the way he attacks crosses. Get the ball wide and cross it! Antony keeps chopping back on his left foot, doesn’t cross it. Marcus doesn’t really cross from that [left] side. Get past your full-back, or get a yard, and put the ball in the box! And he’ll attack it.’
United face a daunting task against Manchester City
United host City at Old Trafford and can actually close the gap to their rivals to just three points with a win despite their lacklustre start to the season, though Ferdinand is not holding out much hope for an upset.
‘I’m scared, man, I’ve got to be honest. I’m scared,’ he continued. ‘I’m fearful, I’ve got to be honest with you. Your heart is telling you, “Maybe we can nick something and defend, defend, defend” but we’re miles off it if you look at it in terms of where City are and where we are.’
The one positive Ferdinand takes going into the game is the way that United’s game against Copenhagen ended, with Harry Maguire scoring the winner and Andre Onana making a crucial save in the final seconds of the game. He hopes this will give United a bit of confidence going into the derby.
United must play to Hojlund’s strengths
Ferdinand believes that if United are to have any chance of getting a result against City, they must play to Hojlund’s strengths and get the ball wide and into the box for him to attack.
Hojlund has shown his finishing prowess in the Champions League, and if United can provide him with the service he needs then they may be able to cause an upset against their rivals.
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