Rasmus Hojlund: Joining the 'Red Devils,' a Bright Future for Man Utd

On the evening of August 1 (local time), forward Rasmus Hojlund and his representative were spotted at the Carrington training center. Despite sitting in the back seat of the car, the young Danish striker was easily recognizable to the eager fans.

Bringing Hojlund to Manchester for the medical examination required several rounds of negotiations between Manchester United and Atalanta. According to sources in the English media, the final fee for this deal settled at 70 million euros, with an additional 5 million euros based on performance, after previous offers had been rejected.

The first glimpse of Manchester United's blockbuster signing Hojlund at Carrington for medical check-up.

The demand for a striker at Manchester United had risen significantly, especially after the "Red Devils" suffered defeats in their friendly matches against Real Madrid and Dortmund. However, placing the fate of the attacking front on a 20-year-old newcomer has sparked concern among many Manchester United fans.

In the previous season, Rasmus Hojlund netted 9 goals and provided 2 assists in 20 starts and 12 substitute appearances in Serie A. Overall, he scored 10 goals during the entire campaign.

Following the completion of the medical examination, Rasmus Hojlund is expected to officially sign a contract with Manchester United. He becomes the third new signing for the club this summer, following the arrivals of Mason Mount and Andre Onana.

Rasmus Hojlund Brings Abundant Potential to Erik ten Hag's Team

If Manchester United fans ever wonder why their club lacks players with substantial market value, they need only look at past transfer mistakes. The club's previous operations in the transfer window lacked foresight when assessing a player's potential.

Even Jadon Sancho, after two seasons, might still need another to prove himself. This reflects the harsh reality of top-tier football, where the time to impress is limited, and eventually, the price tag becomes irrelevant.

'Foundations in place to raise the bar.'

Erik ten Hag's Man Utd have reached an agreement with Atalanta over Rasmus Hojlund. pic.twitter.com/UogfRhNV9j

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 30, 2023

Take the case of Nicolas Pepe at Arsenal, who finds himself uncertain about his footballing future, not knowing if any club will take him next season. Mikel Arteta has no plans for him, and with just a year left on his contract, the financial aspects, including his wages, have become irrelevant.

Pepe's struggles will always be remembered whenever Arsenal makes a significant splash in the transfer window. This is just one example, and Manchester United has made similar investments in several players. They sometimes escape criticism due to their rich history under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Like Arteta, ten Hag also didn't initially receive complete trust from the club hierarchy. However, the Dutchman spent substantial sums compared to the Spaniard in his first years. Last summer, he invested heavily in experience and potential, with the signing of Antony taking center stage after a nearly €100 million move.

Manchester United will pay Atalanta fixed fee of €75m + €10m add-ons for Rasmus Hojlund. 20yo Denmark striker has agreed 5+1yr contract - still needs to be finalised. #Atalanta were seeking €90m, but #MUFC secured a package worth €85m @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/iDnAUBvBH8

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 29, 2023

This time, while ten Hag has added established professionals, he has also made another significant investment in potential. Manchester United secured an €85 million deal with Atalanta for striker Rasmus Hojlund, finally putting an end to a lengthy saga.

Similar to Antony and Sancho, Hojlund arrives at Old Trafford burdened with the task of justifying his hefty price tag and performing from the start. It's a demanding expectation for a 20-year-old with only one season in one of Europe's top-five leagues. But this is the nature of modern top-level football.

Hojlund comes to Old Trafford with a reputation as a physical striker, a perfect fit to elevate ten Hag's style to the next level. If he can make an impact in the first few games, the €85 million price tag will quickly become irrelevant.

Reaching that level won't be easy, but at least ten Hag will have a proper No. 9 at the start of the season, a player he wanted rather than relying on makeshift options like Wout Weghorst or Anthony Martial. In any case, we await to see if Hojlund was the right decision for Manchester United and how well he fits in stylistically.

What Led Manchester United to Secure the Signing of Rasmus Hojlund?

The decision to sign Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United may not be fully clear at this point, but it reflects the current trend in the Premier League towards physical strikers who can dominate inside the box. Top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and others are moving towards acquiring bonafide target men who excel in the penalty area, contributing greatly to their attacking prowess.

The Age of Big Men. pic.twitter.com/H5gsaHhVQu

— AI (@nonewthing) July 29, 2023

While some have questioned the €85 million price tag for a player who scored only nine goals for Atalanta last season, the truth lies in the potential and profile of this 20-year-old striker, which commands a high value in today's market. Many experts and observers have held Hojlund in high regard, and if their assessments hold true, this signing could be a remarkable steal for Manchester United, providing them with a forward who has the potential to make a significant impact for years to come.

In the modern game, Hojlund's attributes align with Ten Hag's vision. He brings directness and the ability to exploit space behind the opposition's defense. Additionally, he possesses the physicality to challenge some of the Premier League's robust center-backs. Although he may not be a carbon copy of players like Harry Kane or Erling Haaland, his skill set fits well with Ten Hag's tactical plans and can prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.

As the Premier League evolves, clubs are seeking versatile strikers who can thrive in various attacking roles. With Hojlund's abilities and potential, he emerges as an exciting prospect for Manchester United and could be a pivotal figure in their future successes.

Rasmus Hojlund's Tactical Breakdown: Unleashing the Potential

To truly understand Hojlund's playing style and capabilities, it is crucial to examine the video showcasing his goal against Red Bull Salzburg during his Sturm Graz days. In this impressive display, the young Dane opted not to pass to the winger on the left but instead chose to skillfully navigate past the defender and take a powerful shot to find the back of the net.

With all eyes on Benjamin Sesko, another 2003-born striker stole the show as Salzburg visited Sturm Graz.

Rasmus Hojlund scored both goals as the hosts ran out 2-1 winners over the champions.#NXGN pic.twitter.com/I0nWup4U4c

— Tom Maston (@TomMaston) July 30, 2022

Manchester United can expect similar qualities from Hojlund, as one of his standout attributes is his ability to make his shots inside the box count. The 20-year-old striker has a remarkable knack for delivering high-value shots, resulting in a considerably productive output.

During his time at Atalanta last season, Hojlund took a total of 54 shots, with an expected goal (xG) value of 0.20, translating to nearly one goal every five shots. Despite playing fewer games than Osimhen, he managed to score nine times in Serie A. If he had played the full 38-game season, it is plausible that he would have netted 16 goals.

Hojlund shares similarities with Haaland in various aspects, yet he excels in heading shots and demonstrates greater proficiency with his weaker right foot. Like his fellow Nordic striker, he prefers to operate centrally, providing support to the attack. However, he does not drop as deep as players like Harry Kane or Gabriel Jesus.

His positioning primarily centers around the middle third of the attacking half, where he effectively supports wingers or a second striker in various situations. Inside the penalty box, Hojlund is a master at not squandering possession with low-value shots. He strives to enhance the striker's role by creating high-quality chances.

That has *some* benefits to it, but it negatively impacts the positional play of the team as they lack a focal point up front.

That's why Haaland is the perfect superstar for Pep. He doesn't drift positionally so system dynamics aren't negatively impacted.

Hojlund is the same..

— EBL (@EBL2017) July 30, 2023

With Hojlund in their ranks, Manchester United gains a formidable presence inside the box, capable of converting numerous 50-50 opportunities into goals. His commendable work rate ensures that he creates a significant number of promising chances throughout the season. Nonetheless, he is not yet on par with Haaland in terms of shot volume, with the Norwegian averaging 3.8 shots per 90 minutes compared to the Dane's 2.4.

There lies ample room for growth and development, providing Hojlund with the time and opportunity to become a prolific striker donning the Manchester United colors. Given his physical attributes, adapting to the demands of the Premier League should prove to be a manageable task.

Did Manchester United make a mistake by signing Hojlund?

Absolutely not. In today's era of tactical supremacy, he is precisely the archetypical striker that a team like Manchester United needs. While it may take time for Ten Hag to mold this team into championship material, the board's faith in him is evident through the Hojlund signing, despite Antony's less convincing evolution. While Manchester United could have negotiated a better fee for Hojlund, the €85 million, including add-ons, still remains reasonable.

Welcome to Manchester United Rasmus Højlund

Strongly built and very athletic
Has serious pace on counterattack
Strong header of the ball
Good hold-up play & dribbling skills
Great left-foot #MUFC #Hojlund

pic.twitter.com/xqD9L0oyXb

— Manchester United South Asia (@ManUtdSouthAsia) July 29, 2023

Though Hojlund's goal numbers may not be in double digits for the league, his numerous positive attributes more than justify the €85 million price tag. While he may not possess the same technical security as Kane, he offers many key elements that a Manchester United striker requires. As a project signing, Hojlund provides versatility to drop deep and link up play when the team has possession, and he can directly challenge formidable defenders in the league with his physicality.

Furthermore, Hojlund presents a formidable counter-attack option, a significant weapon for Manchester United. His pace allows him to exploit spaces behind defenses, and during settled attacks, he becomes a focal point striker, providing a target for his fellow attackers and creating a menace inside the box.

Previously, Manchester United heavily relied on Rashford to create, make runs behind defenses, and score goals. However, with the addition of Hojlund, Ten Hag can afford to free up Rashford to take on his desired primary left-wing role while entrusting the Danish striker with the rest.

Hojlund is indeed a smart buy, but it will take time for him to realize his full potential. Ten Hag's coaching expertise will be crucial in developing Hojlund's talents to their fullest. While he hasn't added significant new dimensions to his game in the last two years, he has undoubtedly improved upon his existing strengths.

Evan Ferguson made a name for himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting young strikers last season!

How many goals will he score in the 2023/24 campaign? pic.twitter.com/sirXY4W9NR

— 90min (@90min_Football) July 30, 2023

As Hojlund progresses to become the ultimate striker, Ten Hag must focus on enhancing his strengths while tactically managing his weaknesses. Comparisons should be drawn with Brighton's Evan Ferguson, as Hojlund's main competitor for the No.9 role next season, instead of looking elsewhere.

Regarding criticisms about the price, it's essential to consider another striker with similar attributes available at this cost. If Manchester United had pursued Ferguson, Brighton would likely have quoted a price of sub-€100 million for the Irish international. This puts Hojlund's value into perspective and underscores the rationale behind the club's decision to acquire him.