Dwight Yorke admits he still has doubts over Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and has responded to speculation linking Gareth Southgate with the Old Trafford job.
After a slow start to his United career following a £72m summer move from Atalanta, Hojlund is beginning to show his worth for the Red Devils, scoring eight goals in nine games since Christmas.
Yorke acknowledges it cannot have been easy for Hojlund, 21, entering a ‘struggling’ and ‘inconsistent’ Manchester United team who face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League this season.
But the United legend still wants to see more from the Denmark international before being confident he will be a hit at the Theatre of Dreams, where he won three Premier League titles and the Champions League.
‘I think optimistic is probably the right word at this moment in time,’ Yorke said of Hojlund’s potential on talkSPORT. ‘I’m very pleased he’s managed to get a few goals recently.
‘When you go to United and you get off to a very bad start, which he did, you just question whether he’s ever going to return [the goals].
‘He’s young, he’s playing in a team that is struggling and is inconsistent, so it’s very difficult circumstances for him to come into, especially with such a big price-tag.
‘That’s a lot to ask of a young man. But with a bit of perseverance, he’s showing signs. He’s still not convincing enough for me at the moment but I’m happy that he’s at least got some goals.’
Manchester United currently sit sixth in the Premier League – nine points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and 17 adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Given the team’s underwhelming form, Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure to finish the season on a high and lead United to FA Cup glory ahead of a semi-final against Coventry City next month.
But even that might not save the Dutchman his job in Manchester as the board are reportedly exploring their options and have identified Southgate as a potential candidate to take over.
Southgate is expected to leave his role with England after this summer’s Euros and Yorke ‘can see’ why his former club would be interested in bringing him to Old Trafford.
‘I know Gareth very well, we played together at Aston Villa and he was my captain,’ Yorke added.
‘We all know the journey he’s had. There’s always that question mark with international managers. People talk about his success with England and I suppose it is success if you get to a final and a semi-final but he hasn’t won anything major.
‘I think that’s the one stumbling thing. We all know club management and international management are two totally different things as well.
‘His club record isn’t particularly great, he’s gained a lot of experience since then but, for me, I think that’s a question mark. But I can see why they want him at United, for sure.’
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Southgate’s only experience as a club manager was with Middlesbrough before he became England's manager in 2016.
The 53-year-old was questioned about the rumors connecting him to Manchester United prior to England’s matches against Belgium and Brazil.
He stated: ‘There are two things. I am the England manager. I have basically one job, which is to attempt to win a European Championship.
‘The second thing is Manchester United already has a manager, and I believe it is always very disrespectful when there is speculation about a current manager. I have no patience for that kind of thing.’
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