Hojlund hits back at United defenders after Galatasaray defeat

Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund turns the spotlight on his team-mates in defence, a day after Raphael Varane called out the forwards for their failures, saying: ‘We can’t concede goals right after we score’

  • Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in United’s 3-2 defeat against Galatasaray
  • The Dane now has three goals in two Champions League appearances 
  • Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has turned the spotlight back on his defensive team-mates – a day after Raphael Varane called out the attackers to be more ruthless – after they conceded three goals in their defeat by Galatasaray. 

United’s season went from bad to worse after they were beaten 3-2 by Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night, which saw the £72million summer signing strike twice on a breakout night for him in the famous red shirt.

But it all proved in vain as Galatasaray struck three times to condemn Erik ten Hag’s side to a sixth defeat from 10 games.

‘At the moment we are not doing good enough,’ Hojlund told MUTV in a damning verdict.

‘We need to remember we can’t give goals right after we score. We’ve had a few games now where they just score after we score. 

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has turned the spotlight back on his defensive team-mates after they conceded three times at home to Galatasaray

It comes a day after Raphael Varane (left) called out the United attackers to be more ruthless

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‘We need to go back and analyse that tomorrow and talk about it in the group. It’s a tough period now but we need to stick together and that’s the only way we can get out of this.’

Hojlund’s comments come a day after Varane called on United’s forwards to show a more ruthless efficiency in a bid to turn their dismal start to the season around.

‘[The Champions League] is about details and you have to be efficient to win the competition,’ the Frenchman added, ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Galatasaray.

‘In the last moments we need more efficiency.

‘It is a low number of occasions we concede goals and we need to create a lot to score. That is the reality of the top level.

‘You need to be efficient to win trophies. We have the quality in the squad to win competitions. We have to move forward and improve.’

After defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend condemned United to their worst start ever to a Premier League season, Ten Hag and his players desperately sought some respite.

United had Casemiro sent off as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray

They thought they had that when Hojlund headed in the opener, teed up by Marcus Rashford, in the first half.

He would add his second in front of the Stretford End with a brilliant breakaway finish, something he hopes will become a ‘signature’ of his for United fans to enjoy for years to come.

‘I’ve been brought to score goals and I’m happy I got two more,’ he said.

‘But again, if we talk about Marcus (Rashford), as he said in an interview we try to talk to each other and he knew that I’m going to be there now. 

‘He knows I can keep up with his pace and we saw a glimpse of that today.’

On the second goal, he added: ‘It was a good feeling.

‘I got cheated a bit before with the offside but it was an incredible goal. I like to call that a signature Rasmus goal, on the left side, running a lot. It was nice.’

Hojlund scored twice as United lost to the Turkish champions at Old Trafford 

The Dane now has three goals in two Champions League appearances for United

United now face two games against Hojlund’s former club FC Copenhagen knowing they must win both to have any hopes of qualifying out of Group A.

Hojlund will come up against his brothers in the double header and while there will be plenty of emotion in the Hojlund household for those clashes, winning is the only option for Rasmus and United.

‘We need to get some points now if we want to play Champions League after the group stage,’ he concluded.

‘I’m looking forward to playing against them because it’s a former club, my brothers are playing there and I have a big heart for Copenhagen. Now I play for Manchester United and we need to get some points out of it.’

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