Erik ten Hag defends Rasmus Hojlund with the £72m striker still awaiting his first Premier League goal for Man United… as the Reds head to West Ham having gone three games without scoring

Erik ten Hag has backed Rasmus Hojlund to come good at Manchester United despite the club’s £72million signing yet to score in the Premier League.

Hojlund has scored five times in the Champions League but is still waiting to break his domestic duck after missing United’s best chance in the goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend. 

Ten Hag’s side head to West Ham on Saturday on a run of three games in a row without a goal for the first time since April 2015.

Ten Hag desperately needs more goals from his forwards, but is refusing to pin the blame on 20-year-old Hojlund.

‘Of course we are open and he is open, his mentality is great,’ said the United boss.

The Dane passed up United’s clearest chance in last Sunday’s goalless draw against Liverpool

United manager Erik ten Hag offered his backing to Hojlund as his goal drought continues

‘He is a very good performer under stress. Also it’s about Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay. There are many and don’t forget our full-backs who have to be a big part in that. 

‘We work on that as a group and with a full complement and better balance, we should create more chances.

‘We can definitely improve. It is not about one player, it’s a group of all of us. My philosophy is we have to attack with 11. We have to get movement better, and the decision making on the ball has to be better. 

‘Sometimes we have to be more clinical. The best chance at Liverpool was ours, it was a great attempt.’

Ten Hag gave an injury update ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham – where Diogo Dalot will be suspended – and revealed that Victor Lindelof has had an operation that will rule him out for two weeks.

The Dutchman added: ‘We have some doubts, some illnesses, we will have to see who is available. Hopefully some will recover.

Defender Victor Lindelof required surgery on his injury and will be sidelined for a few weeks

‘Casemiro and Martinez, so they are not available before Christmas. In January we expect them back. Mount is similar, into January. Harry Maguire I expect him early on. 

‘Victor is not available. He has had surgery and he is out for a couple of weeks. He had a problem and needed surgery.

‘We’ve had such a busy programme and we gave the lads some days off, because we go in a busy week. 

‘They needed a rest from a physical approach and mentally, to get away from football. We expect them to be fresh for a massive week. The Liverpool result will give the team confidence, and we have to make the next steps.’