Introduction

Owen Hargreaves has expressed his concerns regarding manager Erik ten Hag's decision-making, particularly regarding the workload of promising forward Rasmus Hojlund.

After Hojlund's impressive performance in Manchester United's recent comeback victory against Brentford, fans were left surprised to see him start on the bench for the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.

The Match Against Fenerbahce

Despite benching the talented attacker, ten Hag’s decision did not pay off, as United fought to secure only a 1-1 draw against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

While Joshua Zirkzee was initially chosen to lead the line and helped set up Christian Eriksen's first-half goal, his impact remained limited, leading to Hojlund’s substitution shortly after the break.

Hargreaves and Scholes' Opinions

The match saw Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri equalize shortly into the second half, which ultimately led to a stalemate.

Hargreaves and fellow United legend Paul Scholes both found it puzzling that Hojlund was not included in the starting XI, with Scholes arguing that the club desperately needs results and should prioritize their best players.

"I think he [Ten Hag] is worried about Hojlund and his minutes," Hargreaves said. "He knows they need him for their upcoming match against West Ham."

Upcoming Challenges

The hectic fixture schedule, particularly with United set to face the Hammers this Sunday, likely played a role in ten Hag’s rotation. However, critics point out that the team's current form does not allow for such luxury.

Hojlund, who began the season nursing an injury, has since participated in seven matches for the club, starting in three.

Since his high-profile move from Atalanta for £72 million, he has displayed his striking talent with 18 goals in 50 appearances, showcasing his potential to become a key player for the club.

Commentary on the Match

In a further analysis of the match, TNT Sport commentator Robbie Savage commented on the even nature of the game, stating that both teams had their chances.

However, Fenerbahce had strong calls for a penalty after their equalizer, which were dismissed by the referee and confirmed by VAR.

Mourinho's visible frustration resulted in a red card, forcing him to watch the remainder of the match from the stands.

"You have to give credit to Fenerbahce for their resilience," Savage noted. "They were the better side at times, but United's counter-attack ended up securing a crucial goal."

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Manchester United will face West Ham, who have struggled this season with only two wins from eight league games, including a heavy 4-1 defeat against Tottenham last week.

The upcoming clash will be critical not only for United's standing but also for ten Hag's management strategy going forward.

As the team grapples with its performance and mounting pressure, fans are left hoping that Hojlund will play a pivotal role in regaining form and securing essential victories in the weeks to come.