Why Manchester United want Rasmus Hojlund

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Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is at the centre of yet another Manchester United transfer saga, with the Danish international Erik Ten Hag’s number one striker target.

Hojlund has limited experience at the top level of European football, scoring just 44 goals and providing 12 assists in his career, with nine goals and four assists coming last year in his debut Serie A season.

The striker joined Atalanta roughly a year ago in August of 2022, and has shown serious promise and potential with his performances last season. He is a powerful and athletic forward standing at 191cm that excels physically, but is also a threat running in-behind.

Atalanta are playing hardball, placing a price tag of 100 million euros or 86 million pounds on the 20-year-old. This is an insane fee considering his output, but with his massive potential and how well he is suited to Erik Ten Hag’s style of play, it may pay-off in the long-term.

Hojlund is a huge physical threat that is capable holding up the ball to bring his teammates into the game, while also thriving in the box as clinical finisher. Wout Weghorst is physically similar to Hojlund in his size and style of play, but he is not as skilled with the ball at his feet, as prolific in-front of goal and lacks the mobility of Hojlund.

One weakness to the Dane’s game is his technical ability. His first touch can be heavy, and he is not the best dribbler, but with age and experience his skills will almost certainly develop.

He is still very raw, and unlikely to come into the Premier League and score 20 plus goals in his debut season, and will need time to adjust, but if he does, Manchester United will possess an absolute monster.

His arrival will also elevate the players around him. Marcus Rashford will continue to play on his preferred left-wing position where he scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists from out-wide.

The midfield of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount will benefit from a player that is more mobile, another option that is capable of getting in behind defenders while also coming short to hold up the ball and participate in his own half.

In conclusion, Rasmus Hojlund is an exciting transfer target for Manchester United.

He is similar to Erling Haaland in size and mobility and has the potential to become an exceptional finisher. The rumoured fee of 100 million euros is very steep considering his lack of experience and being far from the finished product.  The Dane is only 20 years old and fits perfectly into Erik Ten-Hag’s system, and if given time, will develop into a player that all Premier League defenders will fear.

Photo: Twitter @TransferNewsCen

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Dylan Johnson