After hailing Rasmus Hojlund as a “top player,” Newcastle striker Callum Wilson predicted that the Manchester United star would have a major impact in the upcoming season.
Despite suffering an injury at the start of the season, United were able to finalize their £72 million transfer of Hojlund from Atalanta.
With six goals in five appearances for United this season, Hojlund certainly made an impression in the Champions League.
Having scored just twice in sixteen Premier League matches, the Dane has come under fire for his goal-scoring performance.
Before scoring in United’s 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Hojlund was scoreless in his first fourteen Premier League matches.
In Sunday’s 2-2 draw between Tottenham and United at Old Trafford, the former Atalanta striker scored again and recorded his first assist in the Premier League.
Hojlund, a United star, and Wilson
The Red Devils striker is under pressure to perform after United icon Roy Keane publicly criticised Hojlund for his inconsistent play in the final third.
Even though he went on a scoring drought, Erik ten Hag remained confident in Victor Hojlund and is looking forward to seeing how the Danish forward and Marcus Rashford can work together.
After a rough adjustment phase, Wilson has supported Hojlund’s efforts to turn United around, as he discussed on the Footballer’s Football Podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
His reasoning was that even when strikers put in a lot of effort for the team, they don’t always manage to score the crucial goals.
Although he contributed greatly as the team’s number nine, [Roberto] Firmino may be giving up too much because he hasn’t scored as many goals as the other two.
Hojlund is assisting Rashford with his goals, like he did when he set up Rashford’s goal against Tottenham. Playing for Manchester United makes him clearly a top player.
I have faith in him since he scored sixteen goals in all competitions last year. You have to be patient with these players since they are still young, and adjusting might be tough.
“Next year, I definitely think he’ll be someone to keep an eye on.”
Hojlund has the ability to improve United’s fortunes.
Hojlund has not had much time to acclimate to the Premier League’s rigors during his first season with United.
With Anthony Martial’s contract expiring this summer (or sooner), United has been without a reliable striker for Ten Hag to work with.
At some point, United’s manager will have to add a new striker to the roster so that Henrik Hojlund doesn’t have to carry the team every week.
While the Danish international Hojlund has displayed flashes of brilliance in the final third this season, he will need more playing time before he makes a significant impact on the club.
It’s already a major problem that United’s other forward alternatives aren’t regularly feeding Hojlund.