BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has said that there are “two sides” to the situation one Manchester United star finds himself in ahead of the Crystal Palace match.
Manchester United are heading into their encounter with Crystal Palace on the back of winning momentum under Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils picked up a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend ahead of their Europa League clash on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim’s United side came out on top during their visit to the National Arena in Bucharest and the Red Devils secured a 2-0 victory over Romanian outfit FCSB.
The Red Devils ended the league phase format of the Europa League, which was introduced by UEFA for the 2024-25 campaign, without a single defeat.
United finished third in the Europa League table and the Red Devils punched their ticket to the round of 16 in UEFA’s second-tier club competition.
La Liga side Athletic Club came second in the table and Serie A club Lazio came out on top, with both sides finishing one point ahead of the Red Devils.
Sutton on Man Utd star’s struggles
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton admitted that he does have a “bit of sympathy” for Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Rasmus Hojlund has struggled in the final third in the 2024-25 campaign and the Danish forward has scored seven times in 29 appearances across all competitions.
The 21-year-old United star has not scored since last December and Hojlund was hooked off in the 80th minute in the 2-0 win over FCSB in the Europa League.
Sutton insisted that he needs to see Hojlund “take his chances” when they do pop up and improve his fundamental “basics,” including “holding the ball up.”
“I was wrong when I said Manchester United would lose at Fulham last week, which a few people happily reminded me about on social media,” he said.
“It was not exactly a convincing win, but maybe things will click for them here – I have my doubts though.
“I have got a bit of sympathy for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is getting some criticism at the moment.
“He was signed as a development player, albeit an expensive one, but it has not happened for him.
“There are two sides to his situation though. I feel sorry for him because he needs a run of games to find some rhythm, but he also needs to take his chances when they come, and do better at some of the basics, like holding the ball up.
“He’s not the only player at United in that situation, with something to prove.”
Sutton makes Man Utd vs Palace prediction
Crystal Palace arrive at Old Trafford in 13th place in the Premier League table and the Eagles are only two points adrift from Ruben Amorim’s men.
Sutton argued that United and Palace’s Premier League match has a “draw written all over it” and he’s backed a 1-1 scoreline at Old Trafford.
“Maybe they will become a free-scoring side again, but that probably won’t happen here and it still feels like we are totally guessing about what they will do each week,” he continued.
“Crystal Palace lost at home to Brentford on Sunday, which was a bit of a surprise because they have been so solid recently.
“The Eagles won at Old Trafford last season, but this game has got a draw written all over it.”
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