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By MICHAEL PAVITT Published: 11: 46 AEDT, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 11: 48 AEDT, 5 March 2025 View comments Former Man United star Rio Ferdinand has claimed forward Rasmus Hojlund looks 'fearful' on the pitch amid his ongoing drought in front of goal. Ferdinand highlighted his recent performances following Man United's FA Cup exit against Fulham on Sunday. The Red Devils were beaten on penalties at Old Trafford following a 1-1 draw in another setback to their season. Man United boss Ruben Amorim opted to take off Hojlund in the 68th minute of the match, with 17-year-old Chido Obi coming on for the Danish forward. Hojlund, who was signed for £72million by Man United in the summer of 2023, has now gone 18 matches without a goal. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents You Tube channel, Ferdinand claimed the 22-year-old now looks fearful on the pitch. Rio Ferdinand has claimed Man United forward Rasmus Hojlund looks 'fearful' on the pitch Hojlund, who was signed for £72million, has endured a run of 18 matches without a goal Ruben Amorim bought the struggling forward off in the second half of the FA Cup tie 'That result killed me, I was on the floor, ' Ferdinand said. 'This United side can't create chances, they can't score goals, only five sides in the Premier League have scored fewer goals, it is a joke. 'For me, because Hojlund has been so off it and so bad recently, when you saw that kid [Obi] come on, everyone got excited with the little things. 'It was refreshing to see from a kid that young. Hojlund is fearful now on the pitch. 'Chido is still rough around the edges, but what I have no doubt about is that he will get chances. 'I watched him against my two boys and the way he played against Fulham was exact the same. The ball falls and he's there. ' Hojlund has struck just twice in the Premier League this season, but has had better fortunes in Europe this campaign, netting five times in eight matches. With Obi ineligible, Hojlund looks likely to continue in attack for Man United on Thursday night in the Europe League last-16 against Real Sociedad. Teenage forward Chido Obi came on to replace Hojlund and went close to scoring for United Former Man United star Andy Cole has claimed Hojlund needs to get back to his natural game Former Man United striker Andy Cole, who 187 Premier League goals in his career, claimed Hojlund needs to focus on his own game to regain his confidence rather than look to battle against defenders. 'If I was to try and give him any kind of advice, it would be to do what you do naturally, ' Cole said. 'I've watched him so many times and, for me, he gets a little bit obsessed with fighting the centre-half. 'Because the game isn't played like that anymore, you don't need to. When the ball comes into you, just relax and play on two-touch, at most three-touch. The intensity of fighting with the centre-half, it takes up so much energy. '
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