[Schmeichels pinky]

If he wasnt scandinavian & hadnt score a hattrick against finland we wouldnt have gone for him. The hype for him grew abnormally after that match. His name also sounded like Haaland.

Was never a hot prospect even at Atalanta or Copenhagen & his United problems can be seen almost perfectly at Denmark. A player who finds it very hard to get involved in a 90 min match.

I find his goals for Atalanta and United both very underwhelming aswell.

Arguably 2 or 3 goals at max that can only make me smile but still doesnt make my jaw drop.

He has the rest of the season to come out under Amorim and score 12+ goals in the PL alone and atleast some against the likes of City, Liverpool & Arsenal.

Even at his best, with all the service provided to him he doesnt look like a striker that can get you above 20 goals a season (at max 20) and during time the league is having players like Palmer, Haaland, Salah scoring 20-40 goals in the season easily then i dont know building a whole team around getting the best out of Hojlund is the answer.

Hopefully im proven wrong because i genuinely believe a young Kasper Dolberg, Harder & Obi Martin look or looked like better danish prospects.

Thank you for a perfect example of why I keep posting in here. It’s not to convince everybody that Hojlund is the new Brazilian Ronaldo, but to push back against lies like yours.

He most certainly was a hot prospect at Atalanta! He was catapulted from Denmark via Austria to Italy where Gasperini called him one of the biggest talents in Europe - a view shared widely in the football world. He scored 10 in what amounts to 20 full matches in his season there - the first time he played at that level at all.
Why the f*** would we buy him just because he’s Scandinavian? We overpaid, yes, but we bought him because he had (and still has) bags of potential. I understand you can’t see that, but no need to get ridiculous.
Our striker doesn’t need to make your jaw drop. He needs to score goals. Hojlund did that last season. 16 in his debut season is good for a 20 yo. even if they came in patches. He was injured for part of the season and very unlucky with a coupe of cancelled goals as well. Again, fine you don’t find him good enough but you don’t need to belittle what he did last season.
If a youngster scores 10 in the league and 6 in Europe in his first season here, why wouldn’t you think he could get 20+? I mean, if he’s as bad as some think, how did he ever manage to score those goals last season in a very dysfunctional team?

He might not make it here - the difference between being a very good striker in a mid table and a top team is very small. I still think he will as Amorim will use him much better than ETH and reportedly is very good at man management. But if he doesn’t, I believe a major part of the reason is that his initial confidence and general positivity has been sucked out of him. That’s what I’m seeing atm, even though he always tries hard and gives everything. Bereft of confidence.

 

[L1nk]

If he wasnt scandinavian & hadnt score a hattrick against finland we wouldnt have gone for him. The hype for him grew abnormally after that match. His name also sounded like Haaland.

Was never a hot prospect even at Atalanta or Copenhagen & his United problems can be seen almost perfectly at Denmark. A player who finds it very hard to get involved in a 90 min match.

I find his goals for Atalanta and United both very underwhelming aswell.

Arguably 2 or 3 goals at max that can only make me smile but still doesnt make my jaw drop.

He has the rest of the season to come out under Amorim and score 12+ goals in the PL alone and atleast some against the likes of City, Liverpool & Arsenal.

Even at his best, with all the service provided to him he doesnt look like a striker that can get you above 20 goals a season (at max 20) and during time the league is having players like Palmer, Haaland, Salah scoring 20-40 goals in the season easily then i dont know building a whole team around getting the best out of Hojlund is the answer.

Hopefully im proven wrong because i genuinely believe a young Kasper Dolberg, Harder & Obi Martin look or looked like better danish prospects.

Sorry but do you honestly think our scouts haven't been keeping an eye on him for a while? I know United haven't been the best in the transfer market but do you honestly think a professional football club and business such as Manchester United only decided to sign Hojlund, at a high price mind you, because he scored 3 goals against Finland and his name sounds like Haaland? God people are so dumb

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

Sorry but do you honestly think our scouts haven't been keeping an eye on him for a while? I know United haven't been the best in the transfer market but do you honestly think a professional football club and business such as Manchester United only decided to sign Hojlund, at a high price mind you, because he scored 3 goals against Finland and his name sounds like Haaland? God people are so dumb

Again, as many people said Mctominay got on to the end of chances Hojlund should be getting to but is never in the right space?

How many times do you see him rubbing his bum on the defenders but having no ability to make runs in behind the defence.

He makes so many few runs and few shots per game that his conversion rate is so high.

Ive got no Link to Denmark & he looks bloody awful and worse for Denmark than he does for United?

Whats your excuse for that? Rashford wasnt whipping balls in to him in a Denmark shirt?

If he was performing for Denmark even with a few goals; which is pretty much totally another team then id be more confident in his ability to perform at United. However he is a ghost both for Denmark & United and excuses are being made consistently.

Young enough for me to give him a chance under a hopefully world class manager helping him be a world class player - but if i had to bet my house on it; then right now i probably wouldnt.

 

[NotChatGPT]

I think people are being overly harsh considering how little chances he’s been getting. I still have plenty of faith that if we start getting the ball to him in the right positions, he’ll score a lot of goals for us. Don’t think it’s much of a surprise that such a young player will struggle a lot when it feels like nothing is coming off

 

[Red Royal]

Wow. There is whole lot of impatience with Hojlund by some posters over this international break. Yes he has looked poor in more than a couple of recent games; but it wasn't long ago that he played really well vs Brentford and got himself a lovely finish. It wasn't that long ago even when he went on that great run last year which shows he can finish and that he is probably deeply low on confidence. Not surprising given he us a 21 year old kid leading the line for Man United. Let's at least give him a chance under Amorin to see what he can do before absolutely writing him off.

 

[Crimson King]

Again, as many people said Mctominay got on to the end of chances Hojlund should be getting to but is never in the right space?

How many times do you see him rubbing his bum on the defenders but having no ability to make runs in behind the defence.

He makes so many few runs and few shots per game that his conversion rate is so high.

Ive got no Link to Denmark & he looks bloody awful and worse for Denmark than he does for United?

Whats your excuse for that? Rashford wasnt whipping balls in to him in a Denmark shirt?

If he was performing for Denmark even with a few goals; which is pretty much totally another team then id be more confident in his ability to perform at United. However he is a ghost both for Denmark & United and excuses are being made consistently.

Young enough for me to give him a chance under a hopefully world class manager helping him be a world class player - but if i had to bet my house on it; then right now i probably wouldnt.

Denmark are pretty shite as well.

I don't know if Højlund will ever live up to his price tag, but I don't think fans with your kind of mindset are really helping. It's almost like you all want him to fail

 

[Grand Vizier]

Again, as many people said Mctominay got on to the end of chances Hojlund should be getting to but is never in the right space?

Why does this keep getting mentioned? McTominay did not have two centre backs in the box marking him. It is significantly more difficult for a striker to get on the end of chances in the box than a box-attacking midfielder who is not getting marked. You may wonder why McTominay or the others got that space to begin with? If you'd guess that the defenders were busy occupying Højlund, you'd be right, but something tells me you think this is not the case.

 

[RedRocket9908]

Again, as many people said Mctominay got on to the end of chances Hojlund should be getting to but is never in the right space?

The difference is McTominay would get in to good positions in the box ready to get on the end of a pass or cross but Hojlund doesnt do that he is usually 2 or 3 steps behind the play.

 

[Denis79]

A good opportunity to bag one or two against Ipswich and gets some confidence back. New coach, Ipswich are poor, might be the game he turns his poor form around.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

The difference is McTominay would get in to good positions in the box ready to get on the end of a pass or cross but Hojlund doesnt do that he is usually 2 or 3 steps behind the play.

Exactly.

Why does this keep getting mentioned? McTominay did not have two centre backs in the box marking him. It is significantly more difficult for a striker to get on the end of chances in the box than a box-attacking midfielder who is not getting marked. You may wonder why McTominay or the others got that space to begin with? If you'd guess that the defenders were busy occupying Højlund, you'd be right, but something tells me you think this is not the case.

This is where your wrong.

Hojlund isnt in the box with 2 CB's marking him - he is very far away from the box playing his back to goal almost pushing in to the 2 central defenders.

You never really see him do this in the box otherwise he would already be in the right position marked or not.

 

[Grand Vizier]

This is where your wrong.

Hojlund isnt in the box with 2 CB's marking him - he is very far away from the box playing his back to goal almost pushing in to the 2 central defenders.

You never really see him do this in the box otherwise he would already be in the right position marked or not.

Ok, he is never in the box. My eyes just see things that don't happen.

Are you suggesting that as long as the striker is in the box, he is in the right position?

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

Ok, he is never in the box. My eyes just see things that don't happen.

Are you suggesting that as long as the striker is in the box, he is in the right position?

He is in a better position in the box than playing deep away from the box against his back to the defenders having almost no ability to turn around the defenders or making runs in behind that beat the Central defenders.

Hopefully this is just poor tactics that has made him play this way but its also something consistently we are seeing. The channel running striker is never making runs except on a counter but again this maybe tactically what Ten Hag tried to do to use a ST to make the IF score more goals than the striker it self (maybe why he bought Zirkzee).

I think the best example of his inability to make runs is United vs PAOK.

Amad was getting in to positions that really should be Hojlund's position within the box.

Garnacho crossed across goal and Hojlund was no where to be seen and it went directly to Amad instead.
Even Amad's looping header at the back post was in the box and its something id like Hojlund to be on the end of making runs in the box trying to fool the CB's with swift motion.

Finally watch him when Amad pressure's the ball of for his second goal - Hojlund is completely just ball watching and not making any runs even though there is no CB's that are marking him.

A very poor game by Hojlund.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

he is playing within himself, and also seems lost on the pitch, does not help that Ten Hag was asking the players to send balls directly to him and have him wrestle with CBs all game instead of working the ball towards the box or let him run the channels which he excels in, yes a striker should be able to play with his back to goal but our style of play under Ten Hag did not allow for Hojlund to be part of the play since we do not work the ball patiently towards the box, you don't see Haaland wrestling with CBs all day, he just bides his time and waits for his teammates to create an opportunity for him.

 

[Brwned]

Exactly.


This is where your wrong.

Hojlund isnt in the box with 2 CB's marking him - he is very far away from the box playing his back to goal almost pushing in to the 2 central defenders.

You never really see him do this in the box otherwise he would already be in the right position marked or not.

That’s such a weird position to take. You can see from McTominay’s goals last year that Hojlund was doing the opposite of what you’ve just said.



He was right beside McTominay for the goal against Chelsea, and in front of McTominay with the two defenders beside him against Liverpool. You just need to rewatch the first two goals here to know that he is in the box, is making very purposeful movements and is attracting attention from the centre backs (Thiago Silva, van Dijk) away from McTominay.

If you then watch against Villa, Sheffield United and Wolves, Hojlund is the only other player that ends up in the 6 yard box when the goal goes in, in every occasion he has a centre back on him, and mostly it’s from McTomonay breaking off a midfielder runner from deep while Hojlund is already in the box with the centre backs. So, literally the exact opposite of what you’ve said.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

All of you who say we make excuses for him: maybe you could try to consider the entirety of the argumentation. It’s all in this thread, just read and at least try to understand it instead of just dismissing it all with one or two examples or false statistics. There is literally not one post here that makes a good case for him being a bad player or not a talent.

It’s not excuses btw, it’s called reasons.
Oh, and yes - he is not playing well at the moment just to get that out of the way. No one thinks that he is.

 

[Trex]

He's too focused on combating the center halfs, and in that way isolates himself from the game. He needs to learn to drop off and drift wide to get involved. It will make him much more difficult to keep up with. Even with Zirkzee low intensity he still gets more chances because he does this things.

 

[AarhusUnited]

All of you who say we make excuses for him: maybe you could try to consider the entirety of the argumentation. It’s all in this thread, just read and at least try to understand it instead of just dismissing it all with one or two examples or false statistics. There is literally not one post here that makes a good case for him being a bad player or not a talent.

It’s not excuses btw, it’s called reasons.
Oh, and yes - he is not playing well at the moment just to get that out of the way. No one thinks that he is.

This is such a stupid take.. I have seen plenty of good post about just that, but there is literally not one post here that makes a good case for him being a great player with bags of talent and potensial.. And so can we go in circles... Everything depends on the eyes that sees it

 

[AneRu]

Why does this keep getting mentioned? McTominay did not have two centre backs in the box marking him. It is significantly more difficult for a striker to get on the end of chances in the box than a box-attacking midfielder who is not getting marked. You may wonder why McTominay or the others got that space to begin with? If you'd guess that the defenders were busy occupying Højlund, you'd be right, but something tells me you think this is not the case.

So how do other strikers get into those positions and score goals? It's constant movement dragging defenders out of position, making decoy runs and then getting into position. Zirkzee does this and gets chances so it's clearly a weakness of Hoijlund's play.

 

[Grand Vizier]

So how do other strikers get into those positions and score goals? It's constant movement dragging defenders out of position, making decoy runs and then getting into position. Zirkzee does this and gets chances so it's clearly a weakness of Hoijlund's play.

He did score 15 goals for us in his first season as a 20 year old. Clearly it is a confidence/regression/tactical issue.

Also other strikers get into those positions because they have better movement than Højlund and are generally more experienced. How many 21 year old strikers lead the line for their respective teams in PL with great success? You can clearly see the difference between a 20 year old Solanke and present Solanke in terms of movement and anticipation, for instance.

Zirkzee makes decoy runs? Where?

 

[AneRu]

He did score 15 goals for us in his first season as a 20 year old. Clearly it is a confidence/regression/tactical issue.

Also other strikers get into those positions because they have better movement than Højlund and are generally more experienced. How many 21 year old strikers lead the line for their respective teams in PL with great success? You can clearly see the difference between a 20 year old Solanke and present Solanke in terms of movement and anticipation, for instance.

Zirkzee makes decoy runs? Where?

Decoy runs were just a figure of speech but he has better movement and hence he gets more clear cut chances. As you say he is young and improving so this particular weakness is one which is holding him and the team back. Maybe a new voice, different perspective from the new coaches will help him.

 

[L1nk]

Exactly.


This is where your wrong.

Hojlund isnt in the box with 2 CB's marking him - he is very far away from the box playing his back to goal almost pushing in to the 2 central defenders.

You never really see him do this in the box otherwise he would already be in the right position marked or not.

So ask yourself why he's doing that? He's being asked to drop deep and drag defenders out to allow other players to shine and make the runs. The tactical setup under ETH does not play to Hojlunds strengths, at all

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

This is such a stupid take.. I have seen plenty of good post about just that, but there is literally not one post here that makes a good case for him being a great player with bags of talent and potensial.. And so can we go in circles... Everything depends on the eyes that sees it

Not only, no. But if you can quote a well argued post about Hojlund being a bad player, please do.

You can make the case that he’s not a generational talent, but not that he’s not a talent at all. You can make the case for him not being a great player, but not a bad one. It’s simply just stupid, to use your own word.

 

[elmo]

Again, as many people said Mctominay got on to the end of chances Hojlund should be getting to but is never in the right space?

How many times do you see him rubbing his bum on the defenders but having no ability to make runs in behind the defence.

He makes so many few runs and few shots per game that his conversion rate is so high.

Ive got no Link to Denmark & he looks bloody awful and worse for Denmark than he does for United?

Whats your excuse for that? Rashford wasnt whipping balls in to him in a Denmark shirt?

If he was performing for Denmark even with a few goals; which is pretty much totally another team then id be more confident in his ability to perform at United. However he is a ghost both for Denmark & United and excuses are being made consistently.

Young enough for me to give him a chance under a hopefully world class manager helping him be a world class player - but if i had to bet my house on it; then right now i probably wouldnt.

You talk a lot shit about Rasmus, but the fact is despite all the crap you’re spouting, he still outscored Scott significantly last season.

 

[Grand Vizier]

This is such a stupid take.. I have seen plenty of good post about just that, but there is literally not one post here that makes a good case for him being a great player with bags of talent and potensial.. And so can we go in circles... Everything depends on the eyes that sees it

Obviously there isn't when you don't want him to be a talent. Can you name all the 20 year old strikers that scored 15 goals in their debut PL and CL season in the last 15 years? I'll wait patiently.

 

[A-man]

Obviously there isn't when you don't want him to be a talent. Can you name all the 20 year old strikers that scored 15 goals in their debut PL and CL season in the last 15 years? I'll wait patiently.

He did well for his age and circumstances, but it’s not good enough for being the starting CF for Manchester United. He should be a development project and someone more experienced the regular starter.

My biggest worry is that he is always in the wrong position for a goal scorer. Reacts half a second too slow, lacks instinct, don’t know what it is but hopefully it will improve.

My second thoughts are; he scored almost all his goals in the PL in a very short time period. Was this a purple patch or did this show his capacity? I hope for the latter, but when I watch him play I get really depressed because I think he offers so little.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

My second thoughts are; he scored almost all his goals in the PL in a very short time period. Was this a purple patch or did this show his capacity?

I think that nearly everytime he's looked confident enough to be selfish he has scored goals.

Both him and Zirkzee feel a bit timid about actually taking things on themselves.

It sounds really reductive but a lot of the best strikers score a good chunk of their goals based purely on just really, really wanting to score.

He definitely needs to improve his positioning and especially needs to be a bit less straightforward with what runs he chooses. But he also needs to develop a bit more "main character syndrome" as the kids say.

 

[AarhusUnited]

Obviously there isn't when you don't want him to be a talent. Can you name all the 20 year old strikers that scored 15 goals in their debut PL and CL season in the last 15 years? I'll wait patiently.

At least you got my point, which applies both ways.. But why does it have to be one or the other.. You can be a talent, but not good enough to play for United ... So to make it clear for you.. I dont think he is or ever will be good enough for United but he can still make a very good career out of his talent

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

At least you got my point, which applies both ways.. But why does it have to be one or the other.. You can be a talent, but not good enough to play for United ... So to make it clear for you.. I dont think he is or ever will be good enough for United but he can still make a very good career out of his talent

Exactly. That wasn’t your point in your previous reply though.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

“In Germany and Turkey, the teams always played for me. I was the end of the line, while at United, I mainly had to ensure that others could excel. I think I managed that very well. But whichever way you look at it, I would have liked to score much more often.” - Weghorst.

Let’s see how Hojlund does when playing for a team and manager that will try to set him up.

 

[Leethal]

Those commentating about him combating center halves etc. wouldn’t have even noticed it if not highlighted by Cole; and later mentioned by Hojlund himself. Now you’re taking it as a key component of his inability to score and doubling down on that narrative. Much the same as the “Ugarte can’t pass!” narrative - which is a load of absolute shite.

You know, this may or may not be the case of why he produces a relatively low goal output, but Jesus Christ you lot get influenced by absolutely everything you read. The inability to form personal judgments is indicative of the society we live in. Sheep everywhere.

 

[Marcus]

“In Germany and Turkey, the teams always played for me. I was the end of the line, while at United, I mainly had to ensure that others could excel. I think I managed that very well. But whichever way you look at it, I would have liked to score much more often.” - Weghorst.

Let’s see how Hojlund does when playing for a team and manager that will try to set him up.

I got the impression that bringing others into play was what Hojlund was told to do. So backing into defenders and providing a physical presence was something EtH wanted from him. Sort of like a Weghorst but with pace and better finishing. I think if he is the guy to deliver the end product, he will score goals. It is not possible not to if many chances are created for him.

 

[CannibalSpectre]

Obviously there isn't when you don't want him to be a talent. Can you name all the 20 year old strikers that scored 15 goals in their debut PL and CL season in the last 15 years? I'll wait patiently.

Martial- 17 goals age 19


Lukaku- 19 goals in his first full season as a starter

kane- 21 goals at 21 in his first full season in the PL

Benteke- 23 goals age 21

Tammy Abraham - 15 at 21

Julian Alvarez- 17

Palmer, Martinelli and Saka have achieved this by 21.

 

[Grand Vizier]

Martial- 17 goals age 19


Lukaku- 19 goals in his first full season as a starter

kane- 21 goals at 21 in his first full season in the PL

Benteke- 23 goals age 21

Tammy Abraham - 15 at 21

Julian Alvarez- 17

Palmer, Martinelli and Saka have achieved this by 21.

Thanks for making my point for me.

Martial was a world class talent who simply didn't have the mental attributes to bring along.
Lukaku was an excellent striker, and him in his prime would be one of the best strikers in PL right now.
Kane is one of the best strikers in the world.
Benteke was okay, certainly didn't follow up on his debut season, which Højlund also may not do either. Benteke was also his team's penalty taker.
Tammy Abraham was very talented, but riddled with injuries which unfortunately hindered his development.
Julian Alvarez is very good.
Palmer and Saka are world class players.
Martinelli is good, but quite inconsistent.

So nearly all of the players that did that went on to have decent careers, but for some reason Højlund is being written off already?

 

[Bon1803]

At least you got my point, which applies both ways.. But why does it have to be one or the other.. You can be a talent, but not good enough to play for United ... So to make it clear for you.. I dont think he is or ever will be good enough for United but he can still make a very good career out of his talent

I like this. Feel confident that he has what it takes. People seem hell bent on under stating his contribution last season for a 20 year old leading the line in a disjointed team. I mean he was even injured when he arrived in arguably the toughest league in the world.

He may not have the career at Utd we all hope ( especially me as I have high hopes for him which are raised because he is boyhood utd fan) but let’s give him a fair crack of the whip.
New manager, new style , fresh start let’s see what he can do.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

Those commentating about him combating center halves etc. wouldn’t have even noticed it if not highlighted by Cole; and later mentioned by Hojlund himself. Now you’re taking it as a key component of his inability to score and doubling down on that narrative. Much the same as the “Ugarte can’t pass!” narrative - which is a load of absolute shite.

You know, this may or may not be the case of why he produces a relatively low goal output, but Jesus Christ you lot get influenced by absolutely everything you read. The inability to form personal judgments is indicative of the society we live in. Sheep everywhere.

I haven't seen neither Cole and Højlund mention it, but it has annoyed me for a while. His spends a lot of the backing into CB's pretending to be Harry Kane. Not sure if it's tactical or not, but it genuinely looks like it hampers both the team and his own progress.

 

[Andycoleno9]

I would love to know what did Arnold and Murtough think when they decided to pay 70 mil for this kind of player?

 

[santeria13]

He's just so consistently underwhelming. There was a couple of crosses/cutbacks into the 6 yard box and he was no where near them. This seems to be a recurring theme with him.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

Not shooting right after he came is very symptomatic for his level now. Also worry about his lack of basic skills for this level so far.

 

[RedRocket9908]

Still not seeing enough from him to justify him having our number 9 shirt, he contributed very little while he was on and failed to shoot on the one occasion he had a decent.

 

[thisisnottaken1]

I’m a big fan of him but he’s really not looked that good recently.