30 January 2024 , 09:30
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Rio Ferdinand has hit out at Manchester United 's wide players and accused them of "starving" Rasmus Hojlund of service.
The former United defender's comments come in the wake of Sunday's 4-2 win over Newport County in the FA Cup, where Hojlund did manage to get on the scoresheet. However, the 20-year-old striker was often ignored in the box by the likes of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes could be seen venting his frustrations at Garnacho following one passage of play where the teenager ignored him and Hojlund in the penalty area, with commentator Danny Murphy branding the teenager "greedy".
Fernandes also appeared to take another swipe at Garnacho post-match, saying: "We had chances to make it 3-0 but, when you go 2-0 up in these types of games, everyone wants to score and get their goal and sometimes we don't get the best decision for the team. I think after that we did a great job to close the game."
Hojlund went months without scoring in the Premier League since his £72million summer transfer from Atalanta and the service, or lack of, he has received since said switch has been a major talking point.
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Speaking on his Five podcast, Ferdinand sided with Fernandes and doubled down on his comments about poor choices before urging United's wingers to start giving Hojlund some proper service.
He said: "We keep saying it, it’s a broken record: Put the ball in the bloody box! Put the ball in and around him [Hojlund] when you’re in the wide areas. Don’t try and make it too pretty.
"He makes good runs when they’re out wide, I’ve seen enough of him close enough to see he makes good runs. But the people from wide areas have got to be told put that bloody ball in the box.
Join the debate! Do you agree with Ferdinand and Fernandes? Let us know here.
Bruno Fernandes could be seen venting his frustrations at Alejandro Garnacho during the Newport game (Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)"‘He’s not been allowed to be greedy enough. He’s starved, my man is being starved! He’s dealing with rations at the moment. I don’t know why. Are they looking at him and thinking, 'He’s dry, I can’t play him the ball'?’"
He added: "As he is the club’s No.9 now they’ve got to really make sure they’re directing everything that’s going to get the best out of him. He’s under huge pressure, imagine being him with Erling Haaland on the other side, still the top scorer but ain’t played for five weeks, seating there chilling.
"And never mind the rest of the Premier League, the pressure all lies on the price he come for. Surely you’ve got to find a way to get the best out of him."
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