[GledTheRed]

Not convinced.

 

[GledTheRed]

Played against a shite defence and keeper and still looked poor.

 

[Redderp]

Sometimes, like tonight, he manages to look like the wrong kind of nimble and the wrong kind of big at the same time. He doesn't know how to control the ball to set himself up for the next move. It just sort of hits him.

His first touch is often really bad. There are so many situations where a good first touch will set him up for either a pass or a shot on goal, but it goes nowhere because of a poor first touch.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

I feel like a top class striker gets on the end from some of those Bruno balls in the 1st half.

Frustrating performance from him.

 

[FrankWhite]

His first touch is often really bad. There are so many situations where a good first touch will set him up for either a pass or a shot on goal, but it goes nowhere because of a poor first touch.

Yeah, it's a confidence issue as well. Almost let he expects the touch to go wrong.

 

[Champ]

I feel like a top class striker gets on the end from some of those Bruno balls in the 1st half.

Frustrating performance from him.

Exactly this. Seen quite a lot of people suggesting that Bruno's balls are too early or fast, but seemed perfect for a good striker to get on the end of for me.
Haaland in this team would be amazing.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Surely you get my point? Footballers mature at different rates. Bellingham, Palmer and Yamal are all very unusual in being so polished so young.

Have a think about what the likes of Harry Kane or Gyokeres were looking like when they were 21 years old?

Ok, I got your point. But we also had Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen who were all top strikers at 21.

Kane being crap when he was young is also a myth

"Kane at 21 was PFA Young Player of the Year scoring 30 goals in all competitions."

"Harry Kane, the 21-year-old phenom who's destroying the Premier League, is the most hyped player in England
Tony Manfred
March 31, 2015"

 

[Attila]

Surely you get my point? Footballers mature at different rates. Bellingham, Palmer and Yamal are all very unusual in being so polished so young.

Have a think about what the likes of Harry Kane or Gyokeres were looking like when they were 21 years old?

But we spent 70 million on this guy. Gyokeres got sold for like 2 million

 

[Blood Mage]

Rubbish. Tries to compensate for his lack of ability by pretending to be a hard man, like Martinez.

 

[Cutch]

He'll be 22 in a couple of months. He is the same age as Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, he shouldn't be that raw..

Are there many 21 year old strikers in the top leagues that are less raw than Hojlund? There are countless examples of where all the great strikers of the last 30 years both domestically and across Europe were at 21 yo and very few were pulling up any trees

 

[Red00012]

I feel like a top class striker gets on the end from some of those Bruno balls in the 1st half.

Frustrating performance from him.

I don’t get why he doesn’t even attempt these, Zirkzee did the same in the 2nd half when Maz was on the touch line. Zirkzee stopped and waited for a cutback while there was 2 others also waiting for a cutback. If he just even ran in to make space he may have freed up a cutback for Bruno

 

[Mike Smalling]

A very good striker gets on the end of one of those crosses, or gets a shot away from Bruno's through ball, even though it wasn't super easy. It's clear Højlund isn't there yet, and may not get there.

On a slightly more positive note, I do feel like he gives the ball away less now than at the start of the season. And even though I don't think he has the level, I am also not convinced by the only real alternative we have.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Are there many 21 year old strikers in the top leagues that are less raw than Hojlund? There are countless examples of where all the great strikers of the last 30 years both domestically and across Europe were at 21 yo and very few were pulling up any trees

Like I already said Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen were all top level strikers in the Premier League at 21, and so was Kane despite the myth that he wasn't.
Haaland was also good at 21 wasnt he?

 

[The Serpent]

Like I already said Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen were all top level strikers in the Premier League at 21, and so was Kane despite the myth that he wasn't.

I've had this discussion with the hojlund diehards before using the he's only 21 excuse and listed a boatload of examples of strikers past and present who do not look like a clumsy limited donkey at 21. He's going to be 22 in feb and then we going to have to wait until he's 25 before we conclude he's a limited striker who didn't suddenly develop fundamental striker instincts and technique and first touch.

Just let it play out

 

[Cutch]

Like I already said Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen were all top level strikers in the Premier League at 21, and so was Kane despite the myth that he wasn't.
Haaland was also good at 21 wasnt he?

You've set a high bar there alright, though absolutely the exceptions rather than the norm

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

His off the ball movement isn't good enough.

 

[Jim Beam]

Accept the loss and sell in the summer for 20m.

20m? Why don't we just release him on a free if we are gonna act absolutely insane.

 

[lsd]

He is a young raw talent. He has clear weak points but he is also extremely clinical. Ideally he was back up to a ready made striker instead of having to learn while leading the line.

Where did this myth of him being extremely clinical come from? It's ridiculous and it's used over and over to disguise the fact he all too often is nowhere to be seen when a good cross or pass comes into the danger area

 

[Gloccamora]

As much as I like Rasmus but watching him every game I feel like he's always a step behind when a cut back happens or cross comes in.

 

[Bwuk]

As much as I like Rasmus but watching him every game I feel like he's always a step behind when a cut back happens or cross comes in.

Agreed and not sure you can teach that.

He’s a good finisher but he doesn’t get himself in positions for easy tap ins.

 

[Zlaatan]

Where did this myth of him being extremely clinical come from? It's ridiculous and it's used over and over to disguise the fact he all too often is nowhere to be seen when a good cross or pass comes into the danger area

It's because when he gets a chance the ball quite often ends up in the net, his shot percentage is among the best in the league. The problem though is that he doesn't get on the end of a lot of chances because he always seems to make the wrong run in the box or his technique fails him.

 

[CannibalSpectre]

Ok, I got your point. But we also had Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen who were all top strikers at 21.

Kane being crap when he was young is also a myth

"Kane at 21 was PFA Young Player of the Year scoring 30 goals in all competitions."

"Harry Kane, the 21-year-old phenom who's destroying the Premier League, is the most hyped player in England
Tony Manfred
March 31, 2015"

Good post. Martial and Rashford were much more refined players who were feared by opposition players and fans alike by 21.

Chicharito was more complete at 21 and scored 21 goals in 28 apps in Mexican top flight football.

Patson Daka of Leicester scored 24 in 31 for Redbull Salzburg at 21.

There are more examples of players excelling at this age than some may care to admit. Even players who didn't go on to achieve much. Hojlund might improve, time is still on his side, but we really need more from a starting CF. Way more

 

[L1nk]

I feel like a top class striker gets on the end from some of those Bruno balls in the 1st half.

Frustrating performance from him.

And that's the problem really isn't it? People want him to be a top class striker now, but he isn't. But seemingly nobody has the patience to see if he can develop into one with his attributes either.

 

[CannibalSpectre]

And that's the problem really isn't it? People want him to be a top class striker now, but he isn't. But seemingly nobody has the patience to see if he can develop into one with his attributes either.

I have patience, but he should be out on loan or on the bench. We need a prime time forward now. I also don't happen to think he has what we need going forward quality wise. I'd only keep him for now because of his age, but I reiterate not as a starter

 

[Utuhu]

Many fans know how make excuse for failure

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Are there many 21 year old strikers in the top leagues that are less raw than Hojlund? There are countless examples of where all the great strikers of the last 30 years both domestically and across Europe were at 21 yo and very few were pulling up any trees

At the same time, he’s the first choice CF at Manchester United and either way taking up one of the CF places in the squad so we can’t see him as just another 21 year old striker. If he’s been given an important role at a huge club like he has to meet a certain level. Otherwise we make sure he’s second choice or worse till he’s at that standard.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Right, I've been a defender of him for a while now but he was poor this game. Mainly because I thought he could've moved better to get to the end of those crosses Bruno played.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

One thing i have to say is - I dont think we should buy a striker in his prime and wait for Hojlund to develop.

I'd rather we buy a generational talent striker soon as they are spotted and let them contest with Hojlund.

We can't afford to be missing out on a generational striker hoping that Hojlund suddenly turns in to a beast in his prime.

I'd say get Jhon Duran if his hype is real. His Fbref report is insane.

If we can only buy a striker in his prime because a young generational striker isnt available then i would buy Osimhen over Gyokeres.

 

[Dans]

Right, I've been a defender of him for a while now but he was poor this game. Mainly because I thought he could've moved better to get to the end of those crosses Bruno played.

Not only that, but he cannot secure the ball. His touch is bad and he has too little physicality to shield and retain the ball from his marker. He wins almost no headers either. I don't think raw is what he is, rather not as good as 70 odd million suggested and we all hoped he was. He's not someone who's going to fire us to success. He's a backup to someone better in my opinion. Whether that's Gyokeres or Osimhen or someone else, I don' know. I like David at Lille personally.

 

[Woodywizz]

Forever backing in, getting tangled up and ends up on the floor. Time for him to fix up now.

 

[Lyng]

One thing i have to say is - I dont think we should buy a striker in his prime and wait for Hojlund to develop.

I'd rather we buy a generational talent striker soon as they are spotted and let them contest with Hojlund.

We can't afford to be missing out on a generational striker hoping that Hojlund suddenly turns in to a beast in his prime.

I'd say get Jhon Duran if his hype is real. His Fbref report is insane.

If we can only buy a striker in his prime because a young generational striker isnt available then i would buy Osimhen over Gyokeres.

Sure let's repeat it all over again. Getting a kid to lead the line worked so well first time.

 

[marcus agrippa]

Forever backing in, getting tangled up and ends up on the floor. Time for him to fix up now.

There's a thing he does where he wrestles with the defender while the ball is right there on the ground within playing distance. Baffling. It's like he doesn't trust his touch with a defender nearby.

He's an enigma, Rasmus. Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit. Really needs to work on his touch, though.

 

[AndySmith1990]

And that's the problem really isn't it? People want him to be a top class striker now, but he isn't. But seemingly nobody has the patience to see if he can develop into one with his attributes either.

No elite team persists with a mediocre young forward as their #9 in the hope they become good one day. And that hope basically comes down to something as flaky as "he's young"

He's basically a bargain bin Lukaku, and yet Lukaku was deemed a flat track bully who wasn't good enough for United. I guess if we'd bought Lukaku at 20 we'd have been told we needed to wait 5 years before we were allowed to come to that conclusion

 

[Xeque_279]

Really frustrating watching him be nowhere close to those Bruno crosses. Watching Sporting over the past year those are the standard chances Gyokeres expects and gobbles up. It's clearly made by design.

And it's really funny because I remember seeing Hojlund analysis before he joined and his movement was deemed to be one of his strengths, looked so sharp in the box, especially for Denmark. I'm hoping it's just some hangover from the ETH era wherein chances were almost non-existent.

He has half a season to show some real improvement, otherwise, Amorim won't be afraid to replace him.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

Sure let's repeat it all over again. Getting a kid to lead the line worked so well first time.

Didnt Rooney and Ronaldo do it?

Because they were generational talents.

As much as you rate Hojlund maybe as a good young striker like i do - he is not a generational talent not even at Atalanta nor at United.

We have to buy the next best young striker soon as we see it because waiting for Hojlund to develop is a gamble; whether thats seen as a small gamble or a big gamble is different especially if we have to wait until he is 26 to reach his prime.

Rashford for me broke through with more excitement and potential playing in the PL - and now we have hit his prime; we can see that potential doesnt always progress upwards and things like our ability to catch some value of a player can lower the more patient we are with a players development.

People are already calling it out on Garnacho, how he isnt a generational talent and doesnt fit Amorim's system but id give both players another season alongside a pre-season under Amorim to decide their trajectory.

Duran is in the 90th> percentage for goals, shots,touches in the box, tackles, clearences - whilst when looking more accurately many are actually in the 99th percentile & even 85th percentile for ariels won.

I dont know if he is a generational talent but Duran easily beats Hojlund in every stat on the Fbref report except maybe one (passing). I dont tend to lean my hope on data & stastatistics, thats why i dont know if a player like Duran is actually generational at the age of 20/21 - but more precisely as soon as the next Rooney is spotted then unfortunately Hojlund will have to go.

 

[Longshanks]

If he can't physically dominate his marker, he offers very little in all honesty.

He is young and will improve but I don't think he will ever be leading PL level.

 

[Insanity]

In the words of Dennis Green, "Rasmus is who we thought he was..."

 

[Lyng]

Didnt Rooney and Ronaldo do it?

Because they were generational talents.

As much as you rate Hojlund maybe as a good young striker like i do - he is not a generational talent not even at Atalanta nor at United.

We have to buy the next best young striker soon as we see it because waiting for Hojlund to develop is a gamble; whether thats seen as a small gamble or a big gamble is different especially if we have to wait until he is 26 to reach his prime.

Rashford for me broke through with more excitement and potential playing in the PL - and now we have hit his prime; we can see that potential doesnt always progress upwards and things like our ability to catch some value of a player can lower the more patient we are with a players development.

People are already calling it out on Garnacho, how he isnt a generational talent and doesnt fit Amorim's system but id give both players another season alongside a pre-season under Amorim to decide their trajectory.

Duran is in the 90th> percentage for goals, shots,touches in the box, tackles, clearences - whilst when looking more accurately many are actually in the 99th percentile & even 85th percentile for ariels won.

I dont know if he is a generational talent but Duran easily beats Hojlund in every stat on the Fbref report except maybe one (passing). I dont tend to lean my hope on data & stastatistics, thats why i dont know if a player like Duran is actually generational at the age of 20/21 - but more precisely as soon as the next Rooney is spotted then unfortunately Hojlund will have to go.

Rooney was one of a kind. Ronaldo was a winger, and didnt start like Rooney did. That having been said there is no striker out there at the moment that young at their level.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Where did this myth of him being extremely clinical come from? It's ridiculous and it's used over and over to disguise the fact he all too often is nowhere to be seen when a good cross or pass comes into the danger area

Yes his movement is poor

 

[Fortitude]

Ok, I got your point. But we also had Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen who were all top strikers at 21.

Kane being crap when he was young is also a myth

"Kane at 21 was PFA Young Player of the Year scoring 30 goals in all competitions."

"Harry Kane, the 21-year-old phenom who's destroying the Premier League, is the most hyped player in England
Tony Manfred
March 31, 2015"

Naming a bunch of known prodigies doesn't really progress a point; Hojlund is clearly not cut from that cloth, so will always lose out in comparisons to renowned prodigies who should only be compared to others of the same stock, if being objective.

Hojlund's trajectory is more the norm, whether he makes it to the top or not, we'll find out in a couple/few years.