Man Utd must rue selling "exceptional" star who's now outscoring Hojlund

Ruben Amorim has faced a vast number of challenges during his first few months as Manchester United’s manager, with his tenure yet to go to plan.

After taking over from Erik ten Hag back in November, the 40-year-old has only won eight games in all competitions with the Red Devils still sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

However, they fell to yet another defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, after an injury crisis emerged at Old Trafford, leaving Amorim with only one senior option in Victor Lindelof on the bench

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Amad Diallo is the latest absentee, sustaining an ankle injury ahead of the clash in North London last weekend, with the manager confirming that the Ivorian is set to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Such a setback will contribute to the current problem in attacking areas which has seen the Red Devils struggle massively over the last couple of months.

Man Utd’s attacking problems in 2024/25

Since the start of the season, United have massively struggled in front of goal, scoring just 28 times in their 25 league outings, with only four teams registering fewer – three of which occupy the relegation places.

Marcus Rashford looked at one stage as though he could be the main man under Amorim, scoring three times in his first two outings of his reign, but after a fall-out behind the scenes, he was quickly banished from the side, eventually joining Aston Villa on loan.

Joshua Zirkzee is another player who’s failed to live up to expectations after his own move to the club, scoring just five times in his 37 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions.

He’s subsequently dropped behind Rasmus Hojlund in the pecking order despite the Dane’s own lack of form, notching the same tally as his fellow forward in five fewer games.

The 22-year-old cost a huge £72m from Atalanta back in the summer of 2023, but like Zirkzee, has been unable to match expectations, subsequently being outperformed by one player who was sold a handful of years ago.

The former United ace who’s outscored Hojlund in 2024/25

Ole Gunnar Solskjær starred as a player and manager at Old Trafford, cementing himself as a real legend with the work he did on and off the pitch.

After his retirement, he took the plunge into management, eventually going full circle and taking charge originally temporarily in Manchester, before securing the role on a permanent basis ahead of 2019/20.

The Norwegian would land winger Daniel James in a £15m deal from Championship side Swansea City during the summer of 2019, looking to strengthen the attacking options at his disposal.

The Welsh international would score on his debut at the Theatre of Dreams, adding the seal to a 4-0 win over Chelsea – with the Red Devils looking like a force to be reckoned with.

After such a display, Solskjaer labelled the youngster as “exceptional”, but his first season would be his best at the club, before dropping down the order, limiting him to just 28 appearances over the following 18 months.

He would subsequently join Leeds United in a £25m deal in the summer of 2021, banking the club a hefty profit, but potentially living to regret their decision amid his form in the Championship over the last two years.

James registered 13 goals last season as the Whites narrowly missed out on promotion, before already notching 10 goals and six assists this time around, outscoring current forward Hojlund as a result.

Whilst it’s safe to say his time at Old Trafford was a disappointment, the 27-year-old appears to have recaptured his best form, becoming the latest former United player to thrive away from the club.

The jump to the Premier League from the Championship is undoubtedly a big one, but given his consistent form in Yorkshire over the last few campaigns, the decision to allow James may be one they live to regret – having the pace and end quality that has been missing throughout 2024/25.

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