How Man Utd could line up with Rasmus Hojlund
- Man Utd have identified Hojlund as a top target
- Young Dane impressed in his debut season with Atalanta
- Serie A club want around €80m to sell
By Euan Burns
Manchester United fans are absolutely desperate to see their team sign a new striker as quickly as possible.
The Red Devils need a new central forward to adapt to the team in pre-season and a number of names have been mentioned as candidates. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are two such targets, but right now United are locked in talks with Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund.
The Dane is a raw talent with plenty to prove but almost certainly easier to sign than Kane or Osimhen this summer. Here we take a look at how United could look in attack with Hojlund up front.
Rasmus Hojlund as the central striker
When it comes to judging Hojlund, there is a lot less to go on than with Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen.
His overriding characteristic is his explosive pace. For a big lad who stands at 6'2, he can get up to speed really quickly due to his frame. Hojlund certainly has all the physical attributes of the ideal modern striker.
There is risk involved with the move, though. Atalanta want up to €80m for a striker who lacks experience having played only five games for Copenhagen, 21 for Sturm Graz and 34 for Atalanta.
His goal tallies at each clubs are five, 12 and 10. It's a good return but not the prolific numbers of around 20 and above that United need.
Hojlund has scored some unique and different types of goals in his brief career, but time to adjust could be required.
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If United spend a big chunk of money on Hojlund, it's hard to imagine them signing another striker unless it's a cheap and opportunistic deal. There must be a belief Hojlund will be the main figurehead in attack.
However, it could be wise for Hojlund to share the role with Marcus Rashford or even Anthony Martial to start with during the bedding in period. That could be until Hojlund has a handful of goals under his belt, rather than being thrown straight into the deep end.
Erik ten Hag has implemented a 4-3-3 which can morph into a 4-2-3-1, but either way Hojlund would fill the striker role. There is no evidence of Hojlund playing on the wings which leaves only one position for him.
No one player has decisively laid claim to the right wing role, with Rashford the starting option on the left. Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho will all hope to nail that spot down for their own during the 2023/24 season.
Potential lineups:
Antony - Hojlund - Rashford (4-3-3)
Sancho - Hojlund - Rashford (4-3-3)
Garnacho - Hojlund - Rashford (4-3-3)
WATCH NOW
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss Manchester United's interest in Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast in audio format!
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