Rasmus Højlund | Signed for United

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golden_blunder

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Bunch of crybabies moaning about posters who have reservations about this signing or any signing so far are embarrassing tbh.

Not everyone has to like everything we do. There's a difference between negativity and giving an honest opinion. If we signed Mbappe and posters were moaning then the moaning about the moaners would make sense. This signing is far from an obvious slam dunk.

Mount and Højlund are very polarising deals and I can see why some may not be in favour of both. I personally liked the Mount signing but there were those who didn't like it that I understood where they were coming from. Its on Mount to prove himself now. Its the same with Højlund, I can't imagine any fan wants him to fail but the criticism of this move has its merits.

I often get the feeling some posters ideal setting of this forum is an eco chamber of being Tp reds.
Wrong. Everyone has the right to an opinion. But when it’s literally the same posters every single transfer window saying the same stuff over and over again it begins to grate.
 

flappyjay

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Some of the amateur fecking accountants in here, feck me. Some people just have to have a moan about anything and everything. You don’t see Madrid fans whining why they spent x on a player they really wanted. They just celebrate getting them. Which is what we should be doing here. Why the obsession over the fee? The same should be expected of him whether we paid 55m or 75m.

The bottom line is that he was the managers top choice for a CF, and we’ve gotten the deal done at a price we could afford, and early in the window. In a position we DESPERATELY needed to strengthen. I don’t understand what’s not to like here.

Madrid dropped 80m on a bench player for the future last summer, as they forward plan, and their fans took it with typical big dick energy. Meanwhile we’ve got a gaggle of mewling quims, who get a better chubby from winning the bookkeeping DoF olympics, than actually building a good squad. The same harem of snivlepots who are still whining about how much Antony cost, or think jokes about “preparing a bid, or monitoring developments” are still funny.

This place is honestly such a depressing buzzkill most of the time. Shoot me for coming in excited we’ve signed a top talent, for a position we were desperately lacking in. I should’ve known I’d be walking into a nerdy, uninformed, nihilistic circle jerk.
I don't care much about the transfer will wait to see what happens over the next 2 years. But also I can't pretend that the people who have reservations about the transfer don't have valid points. You compare with Madrid but Real had a champions league winning/challenging squad when they were making their gambles. We on there hand are probably a Rashford longterm injury away from Europa league football next season. Currently every transfer we make has to be an important contributer.

"Why are you complaining about the fee" because what we pay now affects future transfers. In a year where there is a chance Kane might move we don't have the FFP room to move for him because of how we did last year. We had to settle for Weghorst as he was all we could afford due to our summer spending spree last January. Those who are in the know say we can't sell Maguire for less than 27 million because of how it affects our books and ffp. Had we not overpaid we could probably be able to accept the 20m and move on. These things do matter in the long term.
 

Murder on Zidanes Floor

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From what I saw, Hojlund was exposed to more frequent instances of physicality in Serie A, of which in the PL would result in free-kicks, whereas in Serie A, he was given nothing and he handled it very well. There's an argument that insofar as physical contact is concerned, Serie A referees permit greater physical contact without penalisation. In this case, PL duels will seem easier rather than more difficult with the added protection of referee involvement.

The speed is obviously the more marked difference between the two leagues, however, he is both a very fast player and a very high work rate player. His pressing stats are higher than Darwin Nunez, for example, who himself is incredibly hard working. If there's one player who I'm not concerned about transitioning to the PL, it's Hojlund.
It's not speed in this league, although I'd say on average the defenders are quicker here but it's the speed of transition and the lack of time, meaning your technique and awareness need to be too notch. Quick players come to the league and are made to look ponderous etc.
 

sglowrider

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Absolutely spot on, the same people moaning like feck will be the same people that’ll tug themselves into a frenzy if he proves to be a success.
Wasnt the Caf mantra a couple of summers ago -- '' I dont give a feck how much we spend as long as the cnuts aka Glazers don't get a cent of it.''

So why the sudden change?
 

Giggsyking

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Welcome Rasmus. Wish you all the luck boy. From this day on, even those who were not enthusiastic about this signing ( like me :D ) should fecking stand behind our new number 9. I wish and I know Eric will polish him into a number 9 that we missed for years.
 

Gavinb33

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Outside of Kane and maybe Osimhen every option is a risk and would cost about the same as this kid, it just shows how very few elite strikers are actually about and available, look at Madrid they've had to loan Joselu for christ sake
 

Baxquux

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(a) He's 20, look at the goal records at that age of Ibra, Costa, Drogba, Kane (as mentioned) and lots more; (b) his goal/minutes and g/a/minutes record is actually pretty good, with half those appearances being 20 mins here and there; (c) for people claiming only we'd pay this kind of money, Napoli paid a similar price for Osimhen in the French league with a not especially spectacular scoring record, and in a slightly 'less inflated market; (d) related to that, it's not about current scoring rates, but about potential, which also relates to short and longer-term contribution - there are strikers with higher scoring numbers but whose physical attributes and general style means they have a lower ceiling of effectiveness...

Obviously it's a risk, but working within the 'gravity' of our non-City budget, and Levy's attitude to sell Kane, who is this guaranteed finisher who can also play within PL's intensity and in ETH's style that we should have signed instead?
 

DomesticTadpole

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Not to say he was or is clearly the best option available but aside from Kane and Osimhen, I think it's fair to say that any other striker, Højlund included would be a bit risky. It's a tricky market for a striker and I know I'd prefer getting a young striker with potential over a striker like Watkins, who is good but probably won't ever be a top striker.

Can't say I'm super excited but really interested to see how he does. I had similar feelings with Martinez as I hadn't watched him before and had a few reservations, but was quickly won over.

Hoping he can make an early impression to take some of that pressure off.
Thing is apart from Kane is there a sure thing for United. Going back a long time we signed some really good strikers and they failed miserably playing for United. So even a household name can be risky.
 

sglowrider

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Welcome Rasmus. Wish you all the luck boy. From this day on, even those who were not enthusiastic about this signing ( like me :D ) should fecking stand behind our new number 9. I wish and I know Eric will polish him into a number 9 that we missed for years.


Thats the right attitude Moaners need to learn.
 
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DomesticTadpole

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Yeah, because they’re doing United a favour, not like they’re being paid or anything. Boot licking nonsense :houllier:
The United shirt can weigh heavy on some players, so it is up to the fans to get behind their players and not destroy them before they have even signed a contract.
 

Redcy

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I disagree there are no fans who want to see him fail, some fans want to be “right” about how we should have bought Kane for 100m, or how we have over paid when there were better cheaper alternatives. Have we overpaid? Of course, but I’ll be hoping to see a young lad become good, it’s weird to me to see so many people not want a stopgap striker, but want to see us buy Kane for 120m+.
 

Cassidy

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(a) He's 20, look at the goal records at that age of Ibra, Costa, Drogba, Kane (as mentioned) and lots more; (b) his goal/minutes and g/a/minutes record is actually pretty good, with half those appearances being 20 mins here and there; (c) for people claiming only we'd pay this kind of money, Napoli paid a similar price for Osimhen in the French league with a not especially spectacular scoring record, and in a slightly 'less inflated market; (d) related to that, it's not about current scoring rates, but about potential, which also relates to short and longer-term contribution - there are strikers with higher scoring numbers but whose physical attributes and general style means they have a lower ceiling of effectiveness...

Obviously it's a risk, but working within the 'gravity' of our non-City budget, and Levy's attitude to sell Kane, who is this guaranteed finisher who can also play within PL's intensity and in ETH's style that we should have signed instead?
None of the players you mentioned cost the fee of a regular scorer aged 20. I think its a good signing, but the clear risk is not reflected in the fee (same as Antony last season)
 

Skills

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(a) He's 20, look at the goal records at that age of Ibra, Costa, Drogba, Kane (as mentioned) and lots more; (b) his goal/minutes and g/a/minutes record is actually pretty good, with half those appearances being 20 mins here and there; (c) for people claiming only we'd pay this kind of money, Napoli paid a similar price for Osimhen in the French league with a not especially spectacular scoring record, and in a slightly 'less inflated market; (d) related to that, it's not about current scoring rates, but about potential, which also relates to short and longer-term contribution - there are strikers with higher scoring numbers but whose physical attributes and general style means they have a lower ceiling of effectiveness...

Obviously it's a risk, but working within the 'gravity' of our non-City budget, and Levy's attitude to sell Kane, who is this guaranteed finisher who can also play within PL's intensity and in ETH's style that we should have signed instead?
Good post, but the question is weather we'll actually have the patience to develop him or he'll stagnate here once we decide we need a more experienced striker.

Contrary to a popular belief around here, players don't develop off the bench.
 

Cassidy

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Good post, but the question is weather we'll actually have the patience to develop him or he'll stagnate here once we decide we need a more experienced striker.

Contrary to a popular belief around here, players don't develop off the bench.
He isn’t going to be a bench player clearly
 

Eplel

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Mount and Onana were decent deals.....we were desperate for a striker so overpaying a bit, I'm not too distressed about it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he's here.

Just funny how we always start with a low bid only to eventually pay just a couple million below asking price, it's as if we have 0 negotiating power.
 

Remember the geese

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None of the players you mentioned cost the fee of a regular scorer aged 20. I think its a good signing, but the clear risk is not reflected in the fee (same as Antony last season)
It is reflected in the fee if he achieves all of his add-on's. I assume we have paid a bit more up front as a compromise for add-on's that are difficult to achieve. We could have a World Class striker for £72m, which is well under market value.
 

Hester_manc

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I would encourage people to be patient with Højlund. He is still only 20 years old, and he is far from fully developed yet. We paid a lot of money for a striker who is a talent but not world class...yet.

I imagine that there will be quite a few games where Højlund will be on the bench, while Rashford starts as No. 9. A bit like Garnacho, who is also a great talent, but doesn't play all the games.
 

Cassidy

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It is reflected in the fee if he achieves all of his add-on's. I assume we have paid a bit more up front as a compromise for add-on's that are difficult to achieve. We could have a World Class striker for £72m, which is well under market value.
I said risk not reward
 

saivet

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None of the players you mentioned cost the fee of a regular scorer aged 20. I think its a good signing, but the clear risk is not reflected in the fee (same as Antony last season)
Yep and I think to compare him to those guys is a bit unfair to him too. There's a clear risk but looking at Kane or Drogba's early years isn't an indication of future success.
 

Mike Smalling

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Man, I really hope he gets off to a good start, so he doesn't have too much pressure on him from the beginning.
 

Cassidy

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They would cost as much in 2023, there is a dearth of strikers around
At their age no. They were not prolific goal scorers aged 20.
Chelsea signed Jackson for half the fee, Brighton signed Joao Pedro for far less (who looks like a talent)
Wasn’t that long ago City signed Julian Alvarez for circa 20m. But we can pretend that you can only overpay (most overpayments for players fail too)
 

saivet

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They would cost as much in 2023, there is a dearth of strikers around
Pretty sure Kane was mulling about on loan in the Championship at 20, not doing much. They absolutely wouldn't cost that much at that stage of their careers in 2023 as expections/hype were not there at all.
 

Red 142

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More expensive than Haaland or what :houllier:
He is not more expensive than Haaland.

Haaland had €70mil in additional fees to his father and Raiola, on top of the transfer fee to Dortmund.

Plus the wage would have been far greater.

Chelsea signed Jackson for half the fee, Brighton signed Joao Pedro for far less (who looks like a talent)
Joao Pedro is nowhere near good enough to lead the line for Utd.
Chelsea could have got a bit of a bargain with Jackson though.
 
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AndySmith1990

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I feel a bit sorry for those who can never enjoy United signing a talented player because the club paid more than their own arbitrary value
 

2cents

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It’s an intriguing signing, can’t remember the last time we splashed out on a young centre-forward of this profile, the more young and hungry members of the squad we have the better. Really like the look of the very little I’ve seen of him.
 

UpWithRivers

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Go name all the 60m back up strikers across Europe...
Its a different market. Go find me a back up striker you can get for less than 60? How much would Arsenal ask for Nketiah? How much would Man City demand for Alverez? In this market. Today? Liverpool spent 100 for Nunes and 40 for Gakpo. I bet Gakpo would be 50-60 in this market.
 

Cassidy

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I feel a bit sorry for those who can never enjoy United signing a talented player because the club paid more than their own arbitrary value
I feel sorry for fans who complain we’re cash strapped when the window starts but ignore the money we have spent previously
 

ShinjiNinja26

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The funny thing about the people moaning so much about this guy is the fact we’ve literally known for well over a month that Hojlund is our choice to fill the striker position. It’s not like it’s just come out of the blue, surely they’ve gotten their heads around the idea of signing him by now. Support the kid ffs!
 

saivet

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It might be too soon, but hopefully he can get some minutes in the Lens/Athletic game. I was going to say I can see him getting his first start against Forest, though when we signed Martinez, Weghorst and Antony they went straight into the first XI.
 

Idxomer

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EtH said similar about DDG and Ronaldo shortly before ousting them.
The difference is Martial has been his 1st choice when fit even with other options available. He obviously rated him for most of last season. He might've lost patience with him now though.
 

Cassidy

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As crazy as it sounds, £64m guaranteed possibly does take risk into account. If he was a sure thing, he would have cost double, or more. It's a crazy market. Especially so for strikers, who are a rare commodity it would seem.
Kolo Muani and Ramos who are more proven as goal scorers I would expect to command that sort of fee guaranteed.
A year ago this lad cost 19m euros
 

fergieisold

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I think he will initially struggle in the prem given the pace and physicality of the league.

Patience is key, so long as he contributes in link up and takes a defender with him (whereas teams just left Wout unmarked) our system will work better as the opposition can't do easily double team our bigger threats like Rashford etc.
Watching some of his games it seems to me pace and physicality is the thing he won't have an issue with.
 

Gavinb33

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At their age no. They were not prolific goal scorers aged 20.
Chelsea signed Jackson for half the fee, Brighton signed Joao Pedro for far less (who looks like a talent)
Wasn’t that long ago City signed Julian Alvarez for circa 20m. But we can pretend that you can only overpay (most overpayments for players fail too)
Chelsea paid a release fee, Joan Pedro looked very ordinary in the PL the season before last and Alvarez is one that might have been but are there more of him out there?

Pretty sure Kane was mulling about on loan in the Championship at 20, not doing much. They absolutely wouldn't cost that much at that stage of their careers in 2023 as expections/hype were not there at all.
If we signed Kane for £1 million after his loan spells in the championship people on this forum would be going mad, we just signed a player who had a decent 1st season in Italy and is excelling for his country currently thats a world away from what Kane did at Leicster or Norwich
 
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