Bruno Fernandes supports Rasmus Hojlund in his quest to regain his scoring form as the goal drought persists.

In the wake of Manchester United’s impressive 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, Bruno Fernandes has come to the defense of Rasmus Hojlund, asserting that the young striker’s contributions are often overlooked by those outside the club. Hojlund played a pivotal role in the match, assisting in two of the goals that propelled United into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Fernandes, who netted a hat-trick alongside Diogo Dalot’s strike, highlighted Hojlund’s influence despite the forward’s ongoing goal drought. The Danish international last found the net in a 2-1 win against Viktoria Plzen back in December 2024. However, his impact was felt in this latest encounter, as he won the penalty that sparked United’s comeback and set up Dalot to seal the tie.

“Rasmus Hojlund is a striker, and strikers are all about goals,” Fernandes remarked. “You are going to be criticized by the outside world for not scoring. But for us, in the dressing room, we want him to score as many as he can.”

The Portuguese midfielder continued, “We need to understand every movement he makes. He won the penalty for the first goal and made several runs that attracted defenders for my last goal. There are many things he does that go unnoticed outside, but we see it. We recognize how much he wants to work and how eager he is to score. I am confident that once he gets his first goal, more will follow.”

Looking ahead, United will face French side Lyon in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for April 10, to be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Fernandes expressed optimism about the team’s growing confidence, stating, “With the results and performances, you start to feel a bit more confident. Confidence is crucial in football, especially at this club, where everyone is watching and expecting high-level performances.”

He added, “The key is to support each other on the training ground and in the dressing room. We must all understand that we are here for one another. Progress will be evident if we continue to achieve results. At this club, it’s all about winning.”

Hojlund’s manager, Ruben Amorim, echoed Fernandes’ sentiments but acknowledged the pressure the young striker is under to find the back of the net. “We play with two attacking midfielders, and we need one player to push the team and make those runs,” Amorim explained. “He is contributing significantly. Today, he made three or four connections that could have changed the game. He just needs to score a goal to ease his anxiety.”

As Manchester United look to build on their recent success, all eyes will be on Hojlund to see if he can break his scoring drought and help propel the team further in the competition.