Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher were in complete disagreement over one “physical” Manchester United star under manager Erik ten Hag this season.
Erik ten Hag has endured a difficult second season at Old Trafford, with Manchester United falling out of contention for a top-four Premier League finish.
The 54-year-old United boss has faced mounting criticism over his side’s lack of consistency amid speculation about his long-term future at the club.
The Red Devils are currently eighth in the Premier League table and could miss out on European football entirely for next season.
However, Ten Hag could still end the campaign on a high note after he reached his second consecutive FA Cup final as United manager.
United avoided a potential FA Cup upset at the hands of Coventry City in the semi-finals last month and will now face Manchester City in the final on 25th May.
Neville on Man Utd star’s struggles
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Gary Neville made his feelings clear on the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund arrived at Manchester United last summer after the Red Devils splashed out a hefty £72m deal to sign him from Atalanta.
The United striker struggled initially in the Premier League after Hojlund failed to find the back of the net in his first 14 league matches for the club.
Hojlund enjoyed a rich vein of form at the start of 2024 after he scored six times in five consecutive Premier League matches for United.
However, the Denmark international’s run of form ended in February after he was hit with an injury and Hojlund has since struggled in the final third.
United legend Neville insisted that Hojlund is “not the problem” at the Red Devils and believes that the Danish forward is “someone to persevere.”
“I think he’s [Hojlund] physical. I think he’s got a good mentality and is a good kid,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“I think he’s playing in a struggling team in a difficult environment. He’s not the problem at Manchester United, he is someone to persevere with.
“If I was playing at Manchester United and he came into a squad 15-20 years ago, I would think there is something to work with there. That is the problem for Manchester United.
“Every player they have signed over the last 10 years has struggled, and for young players it has been difficult. I hope they can sign another striker in the summer.
“Not to support him, but to partner him, to mentor him, someone he can learn from.”
Carragher reacts to Neville’s Hojlund remarks
Hojlund has scored only once in his last eight Premier League matches for United since his return from injury.
Jamie Carragher disagreed with Neville’s remarks on the United star and insisted that the arrival of a “top striker” at Old Trafford would “kill” Hojlund’s confidence.
“I don’t think you can do that, Gary,” he said.
“I think he’s [Hojlund] gone there too soon. But if you bring a top striker in, you kill him.
“Once you have given him his first year, you almost have to give him his head again next season to see if he is up to it.
“To bring someone in again and he’s almost like a second striker, I think that makes it really difficult for him.”