Bruno Fernandes believes that Rasmus Hojlund should learn to deal with the pressure to be the number 9 of Manchester United – but needs his teammates to also weigh more goals.
The ninth goal of Hojlund of the season saw United Sunday a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, while he only scored football the second time in more than 31 hours.
The Young Dane has struggled for the goal after scoring 16 times in his first season after a £ 72 million move from Atalanta.
United Captain Fernandes claims that it would be unfair to blame Hojlund's shoulders too much, but admits that the 22-year-old would expect to be in the spotlight in such a key position in a club like United.
“It was a difficult season for everyone,” Fernandes said. 'We can't hide behind Rasmus and don't score as many goals as we wanted him to score. The team does not score as many goals as we should. We cannot put everything on Rasmus and not score goals.
'Of course he has to score more. He is the number 9 of the team. Josh (Zirkzee) has to score more. I have to score more. Garna (Alejandro Garnacho) has to score more. Mason (Mount) and Amad (Diallo). The person who plays in advance must score more goals.
'Playing for Man United, it is always in the spotlight and you have to be prepared for that and if you are still not prepared, you have to prepare for what is coming and for every game that occurs.
'You cannot pay too much attention to the outside world, because the No. 9 will be busy everywhere, because the No. 9 is expected to score goals.
'So whether he (Hojlund) does not score for Man United or another club, you will always get the attention because everyone expects the strikers to score goals. But as I said, as a team we have to improve that, we have to score more goals and that is all.
'He just has to look at his game and see what he can get from our players. We must understand the characteristics of each player on the field.
'You clearly need as a striker to read if he is on the ball, what kind of movements you can do. If the player on the ball is able to find out whether a risky pass or whatever, we cannot make the same runs for every player on the ball. '
United is facing a huge semi -final of the Europa League on Thursday while meeting Athletic Bilbao in the first stage in Spain to win the competition and qualify for the Champions League of next season.
However, Fernandes admits that even that even a difficult season would 'save' that could end with United who would end up one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
“I wouldn't say reward,” he added. 'I think it will be successful in the Europa League because we have started in the Europa League and we want to go until the end of the competition.
'It is clear to us that it is very important to get that season this season. It will not save anything, but we will be a huge success in Europa League, that's all.
'The expectation at United is always high, so it doesn't matter if it is a semi -final or whatever. We are going to play Brentford after the first stage against Athletic and the expectation will still be there. You just have to be prepared for that. '