Rasmus Hojlund has the daring and personality, according to Erik ten Hag, to deal with the burden of becoming Manchester United’s leading man when he makes his debut against Arsenal today.
The 20-year-old was United’s most expensive transfer of the summer, joining for £72 million from Atalanta, but he has only played one season in Serie A and must now deal with the demands of being the club’s center-forward.
Hojlund scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances last season and joined United a year after leaving Sturm Graz for Atalanta for €17 million and 18 months after joining the Austrians from FC Copenhagen for €1.8 million. The Denmark international was recovering from a back injury when his transfer was announced, and he has missed the first three games of the season as he works on his match fitness, but he will be in the squad to face Arsenal at the Emirates.
Ten Hag made signing a striker his top goal during the summer transfer window, first targeting Harry Kane before United felt a deal with Daniel Levy would be too complicated. Kane instead joined Bayern Munich.
Hojlund’s achievements in the Bundesliga this season will now be compared to Kane’s, and he must bear the pressure of being the frontman of United’s assault despite his relative inexperience.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, argues that the club conducted extensive research into Hojlund’s mentality as well as his talent and is confident that he can manage the strain.
“He is brave, and that is plenty. “He has faith, and the rest will follow,” Ten Hag remarked. “We scouted for talent and personality. Yes, he has created an impression in every country he has visited so far, including Austria and Italy. You need time, and I’m confident it will happen.”
Hojlund will face comparisons to Kane this season, as well as playing head-to-head with the 30-year-old in the Champions League, but as a young Scandinavian striker coming to the Premier League, he will be judged alongside Erling Haaland.
Ten Hag says that United have high expectations for Hojlund, albeit replicating Haaland’s 52-goal first season in English football is perhaps too much to ask, and he refuses to draw analogies with the Norwegian.
But Haaland has been a ball of energy and passion at City, as well as an unstoppable goal machine, and Ten Hag has already mentioned how he has brightened the spirits of his new teammates at Carrington this week.
“I believe he is a unique character in our squad, which adds to the excitement.” “The balance in my squad is very good, and we already noticed this week when he came in a different spirit,” he explained.
“He gives that energy, and the players benefit from it.” It’s excellent. Allow him some time to adjust. No player can act right away.
“Of course, we have high expectations for Hojlund, but he needs time to adjust to the team and the way we play.” I’m convinced that the rest will follow.”
With the signing of the 6ft 3ins speed merchant, United felt they had purchased a ‘special’ striker, and Ten Hag’s initial impressions at Carrington have reinforced that belief.
“It’s been a short time and he hasn’t even played games and is now in training sessions, but he confirms the impression we had when we scouted him,” United boss David Moyes said.
“We scouted him thoroughly. He’s been doing an excellent job this week. Excellent spirit. He’s eager to get started on the team. He can’t wait, and I believe we made the correct decision.
“Of course, I would have preferred to have had him from the start, but that wasn’t the case, but he is now fit.” We are pleased because he will undoubtedly boost the roster and have a positive impact on the club.”
