COMMENT: The critics of Manchester United, especially those associated with the club, have shown a broken and unnecessary attitude towards Rasmus Hojlund. It’s unclear where this attack came from and what motivated it.
Gary Neville and Dwight Yorke, former treble winners and ex-players who understand the pressure of playing for Manchester United, joined in on the criticism of the Dane last week. Jamie Carragher and Danny Murphy, other ex-pros, have also done the same.
However, it remains a mystery why they felt the need to do so. No one within United has claimed that Hojlund is ready to match the achievements of Sergio Aguero, as Neville suggested. No one has said that Hojlund should carry United’s attack at such a young age and with limited experience, as Murphy and Yorke have insisted. And no one was expecting an immediate impact, as Carragher has now stated.
In fact, Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, has recently admitted that he wants to find a new senior striker to ease the burden on Hojlund. This confirms what our club sources revealed last season – that the original plan was to sign both Hojlund and Harry Kane last summer.
“I think it would help,” said Ten Hag. “You need more options. You need double positioning in every position. Some positions we didn’t have the choices this season – the striker position, the left-back position – and that has a negative impact on the results.”
Ten Hag has always viewed Hojlund as a project: “It was a purchase for the present and the future when we decided to buy him. He has to develop, he has to improve, but he needs time – and sometimes it goes up and down.”
At 21 years old and in his first season in England, Hojlund has exceeded expectations. Despite a midseason injury, he managed to score 15 goals for a struggling Manchester United team. He possesses raw aggression and passion, qualities that have been lacking in United’s recent personnel. The potential is evident, which justifies Ten Hag’s decision to spend £65m on his signing.
So why can’t those who are paid to discuss the game see it?
Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy claims that Hojlund lacks the “Wow” factor and is not yet a Champions League or Premier League-winning No 9. But is Murphy talking about Hojlund or a 21-year-old Kane? Kane may not possess exceptional speed or skill, yet he has developed into a top-class player. Why can’t these ex-players afford Hojlund the same room to improve?
Outside of England, no one doubts that United has signed a talented player. Based on what we’ve seen from Hojlund this season, £65m seems like a bargain. Luca Percassi, Atalanta’s chief executive, shares this belief. Keld Bordinggaard, Bayer Leverkusen’s Danish director of coaching, also praised Hojlund earlier this year, stating that he has received excellent training at FC Copenhagen.
Bordinggaard’s comments reflect what we have witnessed this season – Hojlund’s potential as a promising center-forward. He possesses all the qualities to become an excellent attacking player.
The criticism directed at Hojlund is unnecessary. No one within the club has made unrealistic claims about him. On the contrary, Ten Hag has been transparent about his expectations for the young forward and where he fits into the team’s plans. If the manager had set specific goal targets for his summer signing, Hojlund has surely met them.
There is no reason to undermine Hojlund or question his abilities, especially considering his youth. The stories about his teammates refusing to pass to him are based on a single source and should be taken with a grain of salt.
As we can see, there is something broken among those connected to Manchester United.
