According to a report from Mirror, Rio Ferdinand has expressed understanding for Rasmus Hojlund’s situation since his arrival at Manchester United. The promising 20-year-old Danish international secured a £72 million transfer during the summer but has not lived up to expectations.
Ferdinand, who enjoyed a successful 12-year career at Old Trafford, noted that Hojlund’s goal-scoring challenges might be attributed, in part, to the lack of service that plays to his strengths. Specifically, he suggested that the Red Devils have not been providing him with the quality crosses into the box that he needs. Drawing from his own experience, Ferdinand recalled a similar issue faced by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had to address the matter with Cristiano Ronaldo during their time at Old Trafford.
Hojlund’s Performances For Manchester United So Far
The promising 20-year-old Danish international has managed just three goals in 13 games, with no Premier League goals to his name yet. He has shown flashes of his brilliance in front of the goal but only in the Champions League fixtures.
The young talent has struggled to be consistent in the attacking third as he is averaging 1.4 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.0 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He also needs to improve his link up play near the penalty box as he has only completed 76.7% of his attempted passes in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
Should Ten Hag Bring In A Replacement In January?
The highly-rated Danish international, just 20 years old, joined the Red Devils, marking his transition to the English Premier League. However, his early performances have been met with mixed results. Understandably, there have been concerns among fans and pundits regarding his ability to adapt to the rigors of English football and make an immediate impact.
It’s crucial to consider that adapting to a new league and a new team often takes time, especially for young players who are not accustomed to the Premier League’s physicality and pace. There is a learning curve involved, and Hojlund might need more time to acclimate and unlock his true potential.
History has shown that many players struggled initially but later became pivotal figures for their clubs. One of the most prominent examples is Cristiano Ronaldo, who, upon joining Manchester United, encountered initial challenges but eventually evolved into one of the world’s greatest footballers. Patience and support from the management and fans were instrumental in his development.
On the flip side, the demands and expectations at a club as prestigious as United are immense. The club is known for its pursuit of excellence and its ambition to compete at the highest level. If Hojlund continues to struggle, the pressure on the team to perform at its best could become overwhelming. In such a scenario, it might be necessary to explore the possibility of bringing in a replacement during the January transfer window to bolster the team’s attacking options. However, finding a decent replacement could be a difficult task for ten Hag so he can only have faith in his decision and wait for Hojlund to deliver.
