Bruno Fernandes provided a candid and striking interview following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday, a game that saw Rasmus Hojlund secure a dramatic equalizer in the 96th minute.
- Ancelotti names the two Real Madrid players at fault for Barcelona defeat
- Rudiger issues statement as Real Madrid star faces 12-match ban for attacking referee
Despite Hojlund’s late heroics, Fernandes appeared to criticize..Continue Reading
United managed to salvage a point after Hojlund instinctively redirected Manuel Ugarte’s shot into the net deep into injury time.
Earlier, Antoine Semenyo had given Bournemouth the lead, and the Cherries looked set to secure the win despite being reduced to 10 men following Evanilson’s red card.
Hojlund’s equalizer marked only his fourth Premier League goal in 29 appearances this season.
While Fernandes applauded the Danish forward, he used the post-match interview to subtly remind Hojlund of his duties to the team.
“Strikers are about scoring goals and we all know that, he knows the responsibility of being the No.9 of United and he has to score goals, that’s the demand of a club like this, not only for him, but for everyone else,” he told MUTV.
“Everyone that plays here who has the qualities to get into the box to score goals has to do it. Today, it was Rasmus, and everyone is very happy to see a striker scoring and hopefully it’s going to give him a little bit of a push for what’s coming.”
Hojlund has managed nine goals and provided four assists across 46 appearances in all competitions for United this season, reflecting the wider struggles of the team.
Ruben Amorim’s side registered a total of 25 attempts during the match against their undermanned opponents, who played the final 20 minutes with 10 men, yet only managed to score in the dying moments.
“We could do better,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “We created chances but we need to do better near the box. It is the small things. We have to understand the foot that is in play, crossing, one v ones. We need to understand the game in that way.”
Asked about Hojlund, he added: “It is always important for strikers to score. 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.”
Amorim is aware that United’s attacking output needs improvement, as his side has only managed 39 goals in 34 league matches—a figure surpassed by all teams in the division except West Ham, who are equal, Everton, and the three relegated clubs.
The United manager is eager to strengthen the team’s offense during the summer transfer window and has placed Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, along with either Ipswich’s Liam Delap or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, at the top of his recruitment list.
