Some Manchester United players are allegedly 'reluctant to pass the ball' to Rasmus Hojlund, with a number of the first-team squad having concerns over the Denmark international.
The 21-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta BC last summer, and he has represented the Red Devils on 40 occasions this season, scoring 14 goals and registering two assists in the process.
Hojlund has only managed one goal in his last 10 appearances, though, and according to Manchester Evening News, some of the Man United players are unconvinced by the Dane.
The report claims that a number of the squad 'are seeking alternative solutions in the final third', but Hojlund has received the backing of his manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman has insisted that 14 goals represents a positive season considering Hojlund's age and inexperience at the highest level.
Hojlund's form 'is a concern for some Man United players'
Ex-Man United captain Gary Neville has called on the Red Devils to sign another striker during the upcoming transfer market to take the pressure off Hojlund next season.
"I wish he was the second striker this season, I wish he was learning," Neville told Sky Sports News. "Say he was working off Harry Kane or playing with him, I think you'd see a completely different player.
"He's 21 years old, he's a little bit scruffy in his work, but it's his first season in the Premier League. He reminds me a little bit of Nicolas Jackson and Darwin Nunez, they're projects. But he's the only striker at Man Utd. Forget [Anthony] Martial, he's not been there for years.
"If I was playing at Man Utd and he came into the squad 15 or 20 years ago, I'd be thinking there's something to work with there - those attributes, that running power.
"The problem for Man Utd is every player who's signed to play up front has struggled. It's difficult for young players. I hope they can sign another striker in the summer to support him, to be a partner for him, to mentor him, so he can learn from them. He's learning to be a centre-forward at Man Utd at the age of 21 - on his own."
Neville, Carragher deliver Hojlund verdict
However, former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher has questioned whether the Dane will ever be good enough to lead the Man United line on a consistent basis.
"I feel sorry for Hojlund a little bit, but I do look at it and ask what his trick is, what it is he does to scare defenders. I know he's young, and he's been brought in maybe a couple of years too soon," said Carragher.
"The shots aren't enough. You can talk about the service, but when you look at Nunez's shots, you see him miss so many chances, but analytically that's seen as a strength.
"He doesn't get enough shots away. You can go back to them not creating, they're a little bit selfish, I get all that. But a striker can't always rely on service. He's got to do things himself.
"I can picture Nunez and Jackson doing something on their own, a bit mad and scruffy, but a burst of pace in behind. Knocking a defender out of the way. I don't really see that physicality from Hojlund."
Hojlund has scored eight Premier League goals this season and will be bidding to add to his tally when the Red Devils face Newcastle United on Wednesday night. body check tags ::
