Andy Cole says Manchester United have an obvious transfer target
The former Man Utd striker says he feels sorry for one summer signing who has not been given the right support.
Andy Cole said Manchester United still need to sign a proven Premier League goalscorer, insisting the club “should never” have got themselves into a position where they are relying on 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund.
The Dane is the club’s top scorer this season with five goals, all of which have come in the Champions League. However, he is yet to score in nine Premier League games and questions are being raised over whether it is fair that the goals onus is being placed on a striker so young.
Marcus Rashford has scored just once in 16 matches this season while fellow attackers Anthony Martial, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and the now-exiled Jadon Sancho have netted a combined two goals between them.
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“For such a young kid, it’s got to be really difficult for [Hojlund],” Cole told Betfair. “I have sympathy because he’s been brought in at such a young age, for a big transfer fee and he’s gone into a team that doesn’t create a lot of chances.
“Rasmus has come in and he’s got the added pressure of being their main striker because the club hasn’t had a prominent goal-scoring centre-forward since Robin van Persie. He’s been successful in the Champions League, but European football is completely different to the Premier League.
“I believe Rasmus is doing all he can do. Hopefully he can get his first Premier League goal very soon, but I understand how difficult it is for him. He’s such a young man and he’s learning on the job.”
Asked whether United need to bring in another proven Premier League striker to ease the burden on Hojlund, Cole replied: “Yes, 100%. Manchester United should never be in a position where they’re depending on a 20-year-old centre-forward.
“Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have established forwards in their respective squads and they have young strikers who can come in and learn from them. Hojlund’s come to Manchester United and doesn’t have anybody to learn from.
“What does he know about the Premier League? He hasn’t scored in his first nine league games and if you haven’t scored during that period, then you’re going to be asking yourself questions, for sure. I don’t believe he should be in that position because he’s learning the game.”