Rasmus Hojlund took to social media after netting a 96th-minute equaliser for Manchester United in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The striker has only managed two club goals since December 12, and endured a 21-game goal drought across three months. Meanwhile, he has bagged only nine times in all competitions in 2024-25.
But perhaps most worryingly, Hojlund has fired just 25 shots in the Premier League this season; 122 players have tested their luck in front of goal as many or more times than the Dane.
Coming into Sunday’s affair, United’s goal-starved No 9 had scored just once in 31 hours and four minutes, and maybe this was just the opportunity he needed. Right in front of goal, almost no time to think.
Manuel Ugarte got on the end of Luke Shaw’s cross to poke the ball towards Hojlund, who angled his right foot to steer the ball into the back of the Bournemouth net.
The forward could not even wait to wheel off to the corner flag and celebrate, as he began pumping his fists in front of the crowd just metres from where he scored.
Hojlund revealed he ‘needed’ to score against Bournemouth on Sunday amid his goal drought
The striker equalised in the 96th minute from close range in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw
Less than an hour after the final whistle, Hojlund took to Instagram to write: ‘We wanted the win, but I needed that.’
It was his fourth Premier League goal in 29 games this season, a stark decline from when he bagged 10 in 30 appearances in 2023-24.
Thanks to Hojlund’s equaliser, United avoided a third straight defeat in the league ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao in Spain.
Hojlund’s fortunes in Europe have been somewhat of a silver lining for the 22-year-old, as he is United’s joint-top scorer in the Europa League alongside Bruno Fernandes (five).
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With their draw against Bournemouth, United also avoided a 16th league defeat for the first time since 1990 and prevented the Cherries becoming the sixth team this season to do the double over them, which has not happened since 1934.
Meanwhile, as Hojlund struggles to find his scoring boots, Ruben Amorim has been eyeing up other options to fix his side’s goalscoring issues.
Mail Sport revealed this week that United are close to agreeing terms with Matheus Cunha before activating his £62.5million release clause at Wolves.
United also hope to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap but face increasing competition for his signature as Chelsea and others consider activating his £30m release clause.
