Alan Shearer brands Manchester United misfit 'damaged player' in damning verdict (2025)

Rasmus Hojlund again fired a blank as he led Manchester United's attack with Alan Shearer insisting too much is being asked of the Dane - who looks bereft of confidence

Alan Shearer has declared Rasmus Hojlund a "damaged player" with the Manchester United forward continuing to struggle in a poor side. The Red Devils lost again on Sunday as their frontline again fired blanks.

Hojlund led the line for the hosts as they were beaten at Old Trafford, this time by Wolves. The Dane came close to finding the back of the net, but ultimately came up short and remains on just eight goals for the season.

That goes alongside the 16 he scored last year with United seeing little return on the £72million they shelled out to sign Hojlund last summer from Atalanta. His lack of experience was cited as an issue originally and the 22-year-old has not developed as many in Manchester hoped he would.

The former Newcastle star believes that Hojlund's confidence is shot following several difficult moments with the youngster often called upon to lead the line for the Red Devils. He's had his fair share of critics whilst the make-up of the team will also not be helping his cause.

Shearer said: "I'm looking at a damaged player in Hojlund. I think he wasn't ready and isn't ready to lead the line at a club like Manchester United. Three Premier League goals, and at the minute I'm seeing a player that doesn't really want to get in there. He's perhaps a second too early or a second too late, and his timing is all wrong. I think there's no doubt he's (suffering from) a crisis in confidence."

Joshua Zirkzee is United's other striker, but injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the season. It means Hojlund will need to continue leading the line and Ruben Amorim insists it is on the other players to help the Dane is the final third.

Currently the striker represents another investment in the transfer market that hasn't paid off but Amorim has no plans to take him out of the firing line and has hinted that he will continue to back Hojlund in the final weeks of the season. Shearer though insists the striker is being asked to do too much at his age.

The Premier League's record goalscorer added: "He's been put into a really difficult situation at a club where unless you're exceptional, to lead the line for the football club you have to be really talented.

'He's not at the stage of his career where he should be leading the line. I'm not saying there's not a good player in there, I think there is a good player in there. But the pressure that's on him in terms of doing what he can't do and also the price-tag, he's not ready to lead the line as yet."

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