Manchester United Set to Pursue Atalanta Star Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester United are reportedly intensifying their interest in Atalanta’s rising star, Rasmus Hojlund, as they look to bolster their attacking options this summer. With manager Erik ten Hag eager to secure a new striker, the club believes that Hojlund is an affordable and promising choice.
Talks have already commenced regarding an initial transfer fee, and it is understood that Manchester United is keen to finalize the deal during this transfer window. This development comes after the Red Devils cooled their interest in Tottenham’s Harry Kane, following the news that he would not be sold to a Premier League rival.
In addition to Hojlund, Manchester United is also eyeing another Serie A export, Andre Onana from Inter Milan, to strengthen their squad. However, it is crucial for Ten Hag to sell players in order to boost the club’s funds. Players such as Dean Henderson, Fred, and Anthony Elanga are expected to depart in the coming weeks.
Hojlund, at just 20 years old, has been identified as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe. While his goal-scoring record may not be as impressive as Erling Haaland’s, he has shown great potential. The Danish forward has scored six goals in his last four international appearances and netted 10 goals in all competitions for Atalanta last season.
Despite his height of 6ft1, Hojlund possesses surprising agility and a low center of gravity. He has demonstrated the ability to hold the ball up and lead the line effectively. Additionally, his speed allows him to exploit long balls played over the top of defenses, where he often finds the back of the net.
However, one area that Hojlund needs to work on is his finishing. He missed 11 clear-cut chances in Serie A last season, ranking eighth in the division. This resulted in a conversion rate of just 16.7 percent. Nevertheless, the young striker’s raw talent and potential make him an enticing prospect.
Manchester United’s attacking coach, Benni McCarthy, could play a crucial role in nurturing Hojlund’s talent. McCarthy has already worked wonders with Marcus Rashford, who had his best season at Old Trafford, scoring 30 goals in all competitions. Rashford attributes much of his success to McCarthy’s coaching.
Hojlund has the potential to follow in Rashford’s footsteps and make a significant impact at Manchester United. However, it is undoubtedly a gamble for the club, considering they were previously linked with established strikers like Kane and Victor Osimhen, who scored a combined 56 league goals last season.
Nonetheless, Manchester United has previously signed temporary solutions in the striker position, such as Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo. Now might be the opportune moment for the club to take a chance on a young forward like Hojlund, who has the potential to explode onto the scene with the right guidance and support.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s pursuit of Rasmus Hojlund signals their determination to strengthen their attacking options this summer. The Danish striker has shown great promise, despite needing to improve his finishing. With the guidance of coach Benni McCarthy, Hojlund could follow in the footsteps of Marcus Rashford and become a key player for Manchester United. While it may be a gamble for the club, investing in young talent like Hojlund could prove to be a wise decision in the long run.