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Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has criticized Erik ten Hag’s use of striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The young Dane sealed a dream move to his boyhood club last summer and experienced a somewhat rollercoaster season.
The 21 year old went on long droughts in front of goal but also finished as the team’s top scorer, whilst finding the back of the net in six consecutive Premier League games at the start of the year.
The Dane has not had any action so far this season as in his first game of pre-season against Arsenal, he scored a great goal but moments later was subbed off with a hamstring injury.
It was thought he could return this weekend against Southampton but news broke yesterday that the club will not risk his long-term health and rush him back into the starting eleven.
Speaking to Danish publication TipsBladet, Schmeichel called out United’s use of the forward in the past and praised the young man’s potential.
“He is a fantastic talent. The possibilities that lie within him are at the highest level,” he said.
The former United goalkeeper also claimed that he has spoken to coach Ruud van Nistelrooy on the player and has confirmed that he also sees something special in him.
“Now Ruud van Nistelrooy came in and I spoke to him briefly. He says there is so much potential in this. If he can help him…”
Delving into more detail, Schmeichel opined, “he is a very impressive young person. He is far older than the 21 years he is. He has a great perspective. He is very sensible and cheeky – all the things you want in a young striker.”
The 60 year old pundit had less kind words about United’s use of the striker, though, claiming, “it’s not just Rasmus! The team is not playing him right, so there are some things that need to be corrected.”
Schmeichel is not the first former United man to sympathize with Hojlund as Gary Neville claimed at the end of last season that he felt that the striker was a victim of the team’s lack of identity.
Fans of the club will hope that Ten Hag will have a clearer understanding of how to utilize the 21 year old’s talent when he does finally make a return to the first eleven in the not so distant future.
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