Manchester United splashed the cash to bring Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford, and the move was met with a mix of excitement and a little bit of cautious optimism. With the Red Devils struggling to find a consistent goal scorer who could take the team to the next level, The arrival of the 21-year-old was seen as a potential turning point for the club’s attacking fortunes that have not seen the light in ages. However, Hojlund, in the famous old red shirt, had a mixed reception as time progressed. Questions are already emerging about whether he is ready to shoulder the burden placed upon him or not.
The High Expectations Surrounding Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester United have had one of the best strikers in the history of the Premier League. One of the best English players to ever grace the League, Wayne Rooney has represented Manchester United for over a decade and is third on the list of the league’s all-time top scorers with a remarkable 206 goals. He’s also second on the list of top goal scorers, just behind Harry Kane on the England National Team.
Just a little glimpse of the expectations and pressure surrounding your shoulders when you join the great Red Devils as a No. 9. That’s not it; legends like Eric Cantona, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ruud Van Nistelroy, Robin Van Persie, and the list goes on and on of prestigious strikers that once wore the Manchester United shirt.
Rasmus Hojlund was bought for a hefty 72M pound deal from Atalanta FC. For a mere 20-year-old at that time, that’s considered a fee you pay for a top marquee striker that bags 20-25 goals a season for you. Hojlund had 16 goals for Manchester United in his debut season. Five of them coming in the UEFA Champions League. He ended the season as Manchester United’s top scorer in all competitions.
However, since his arrival, a few factors have made the fans worry about the Danish forward. As the team enters the new season and continues to struggle terribly on the field, pressure and expectations on the big-money acquisitions, of whom Hojlund is undoubtedly one begin to increase.
Is He What Manchester United Needs?
The last thing Manchester United need right now in their squad is more injury-prone players. Since he arrived at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund has been the center of intense worries regarding injuries. Even before the start of the 24/25 campaign, he suffered a hamstring injury, keeping him out for three months. The Red Devil’s terrible start to the season may be attributed in large part to their inability to score goals, as they have only managed one victory out of three games and have allowed five goals.
With just two goals scored, it is clear they need their top scorer from last season back, but with so many injury concerns, how will United and Hojlund himself cope with this? He missed a combined 63 days out injured last year, and with just three games in, he has missed almost 50 days already. Fans are frustrated and alarmed because there are already so many injured players for Erik Ten Hag and no depth at the striker position except for Joshua Zirkzee who himself isn’t an out-and-out No. 9.
Players like Erling Haaland, who cost way less to Manchester City as compared to what Manchester United paid for Hojlund, has scored two hattricks in three games for the Blues. He has a record of 69 goals in 69 appearances in the Premier League. That is simply world-class. Unmatched even by the most productive strikers of previous generations. Manchester United anticipated a similar effect when they signed the Danish international, but his first Premier League goal last year came in December against Aston Villa. He had a few spells where he could not find the net.
When he did find some consistency, Rasmus Hojlund’s rhythm was disrupted when he sustained an injury after scoring in five straight Premier League games. However, not all of this is down to him. He received a really poor quality of service during the last season. Also, the lack of goal involvement from the wings and midfield put even more pressure on the striker to produce. It puts huge concerns and questions on our minds as to whether it is down to the striker, or is it Erik Ten Hag’s system that might just be too difficult for the young Danish Forward to adapt and thus might eventually get replaced soon?
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