Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Erik ten Hag is sending a message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe by dropping Rasmus Hojlund to the bench against Newcastle.
MEN Sport understands some United players have grown concerned about Hojlund’s abilities and are refraining from passing to him during matches. After a sensational run of form at the turn of the year, the Dane’s season has been derailed following an injury sustained at the end of February.
Since returning to the starting line-up, Hojlund has scored once in eight Premier League appearances for the Reds. Such form has seen him dropped to the bench with Bruno Fernandes looking like he is replacing him in a false nine role.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane believes that there is more to the decision than just form. He said: “Yes I am [surprised to see Hojlund left out] I know he hasn’t been scoring lately and his performances haven’t been great but the way I look at it is that the manager is sending a message to the board saying that they haven’t got many options.
“He is your main striker, lot of responsibility on him but he hasn’t really had much help. He hasn’t been getting great service but he has to do better.
“Sometimes I think managers do that with a couple of games left to go to say to the board: ‘Listen, we need reinforcements in the summer, we certainly need more attacking options,’ it is not as if he has replaced him with an out-and-out striker [Fernandes] so clearly that is a message.
“Obviously, he will be [resting] ready for the cup final but I think it is more of a message to the board.”
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