Ferdinand urges Man Utd duo to follow Cristiano Ronaldo order with Hojlund
Rio Ferdinand has demanded that Manchester United cross the ball more in order to get Rasmus Hojlund firing at Old Trafford.
The Danish striker has three goals in ten appearances for the Red Devils following his big-money arrival from Atalanta, though none of those strikes have come in Premier League action.
Ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against cross-city rivals Manchester City, Ferdinand has a suggestion on how his team-mates could end Hojlund’s barren spell - by crossing the ball into the box. Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, the former defender said: “I think we need to get to a place where we’re actually playing to our players’ strengths.
“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.”
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Ferdinand’s instructions to his former side are very similar to those he levelled at the Red Devils only a couple of years ago, when Cristiano Ronaldo was leading the line. The Portuguese had just marked a memorable second debut for the club with a brace against Newcastle.
Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League for Man United (Getty Images)How many goals will Rasmus Hojlund score for Man United this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Ferdinand was not wholly convinced that United were playing to Ronaldo's strengths, though. “That’s one thing that I would say, not a criticism, but one thing to look at and learn from, from Man United’s point of view from the weekend’s first game,” he said.
“And I’m telling you, he’d have been in there [the dressing room] after and this week saying, ‘Listen, cross that ball! When you get opportunities to cross the ball, you put it in there because I’m aggressive and I want the ball.’
“And he knows, and it’s well documented that I’ve always said this for the last few years, the defenders in this country are not great at defending crosses. It’s not an art that is actually honed anymore.”
Ronaldo, now 38, would go on to score 27 goals over a season-and-a-half during his second spell at Old Trafford before an explosive exit from the club. An interview with Piers Morgan all-but burnt his bridges with United ahead of a record-breaking switch to Saudi side Al-Nassr.
The veteran has since put together an eye-catching record for his new employers with 28 goals in just 32 appearances in all competitions.
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