'The next game' - Ruben Amorim sets Rasmus Hojlund challenge after he ends Manchester United drought
Man Utd scored late on to draw 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Ruben Amorim was delighted to see Rasmus Hojlund score again for Manchester United, but he isn't getting carried away just yet ahead of their huge Europa League semi-final tie against Athletic Club. United made five changes to their starting line up for the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon as Amorim managed the fitness of his first-team squad.
Luke Shaw made his first start for the club in 343 days, while Noussair Mazraoui replaced Diogo Dalot in the right wing-back role. Hojlund played the entirety of the match, with Chido Obi introduced from the bench to partner him, rather than replace him as United searched for a late leveller.
Hojlund only managed one shot during the encounter, but he made it count when he latched onto a Manuel Ugarte pass to rescue a draw in the final minutes of added time. The 22-year-old cut a frustrated figure throughout most of the match but managed to redeem an otherwise poor performance with an influential moment.
Amorim sets Hojlund challenge
Rasmus Hojlund's late goal against Nottingham Forest was only his fourth Premier League goal of the season, and just his eighth in 45 appearances across all competitions. It seems too soon to describe the goal as a possible turning point in his season, though Hojlund will hope to prove it is just that when United face Athletic Club on Thursday night.
Hojlund is certain to lead the line over both legs of the Europa League semi-final tie, and after his goal against Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim challenged the forward to do it again. "It is always important for strikers to score," the head coach told Sky Sports. "But when we look at the game as a striker it is not just the goals. It is a good boost but the next game is a new history and we have to go again."
In a chat with Match of the Day, he added: "I think [we deserved it]. In the first half we suffered with their high-intensity press, but we created chances. We had quite similar chances near the box with a lot of shots. I think we deserved at least one point if you look at the game. If you look at our last games, it’s always like this – we do something to help the opponent get an advantage. Then it’s really hard to score goals, but the players did really well to get at least one point."
United have prioritised the addition of another striker this summer, with Liam Delap the preferred target, while they are also in talks to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha as an extra option in attacking midfield.