What Can Rasmus Højlund Offer Manchester United?
The Controversial Transfer: Early or Just in Time?
While many would argue that the Danish rising star’s move to Manchester United came a bit earlier than it should have, the 20-year-old who made his debut a week ago against Arsenal is a somewhat polarizing figure when it comes to both United and neutral fans.
After sealing a £64 million move with an £8 million performance-based bonus option, it was obvious that Manchester United wanted to secure themselves a solid number 9 for the future. Now, is Højlund a viable option?
The Scouting Report: What Does Højlund Bring to the Pitch?
It’s really hard to answer the question right away, but from a scout’s perspective, yes, Højlund is definitely a player to watch. His lack of game time in the Top 5 is a bit worrying since he’s only spent one season in Serie A playing for Atalanta. Before that, he impressed in Austria where he scored 9 league goals in 18 appearances for Sturm Graz, and before Austria, he made his senior debut for Copenhagen, where he failed to record a single 90-minute game in his 19 appearances for the club.
When it comes to his physicality and footballing ability, Rasmus Højlund is a 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) tall number 9 who possesses an impressive combination of speed and strength. While he might not be the best dribbler or playmaker, you can’t really expect every single lone striker to be as technically gifted as, let’s say, Harry Kane.
Another quite impressive stat for his age is the number of goals on the international level. Højlund has managed to score 6 goals in 8 appearances for the Danish senior squad, and to be more exact, those six goals came from 6 matches in 2023 alone.
Is that enough to justify the price though?
The Style of Play: A Fit or a Mismatch for United?
One of the more nuanced debates around Højlund’s transfer to Manchester United revolves around his style of play. The young Dane is more of a traditional striker, relying on his physical attributes to make an impact. However, Manchester United, under their current tactical setup, has often employed a more fluid attacking system. The question is, can Højlund adapt to this style or will United need to adjust their tactics to get the most out of their new investment?
Comparing Career Trajectories: Højlund vs Bellingham
Many would argue that, as mentioned, he made a big move way too early in his career, especially before spending at least a couple of seasons in Germany, like his peer Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga before making a big move to Real Madrid where he seems like a more than a solid fit now.
The Financial Aspect: Is Højlund Worth the Price Tag?
Of course, the move wasn’t really Højlund’s call – practically any player his age would say yes to such a transfer, and when it comes to his previous club, Atalanta was more than willing to accept such a large fee right away.
The prices have gone through the roof in the past couple of years, and £64 million might not sound as much, but it’s still a lot for an unproven talent. His age is something that everyone has to keep in mind – Rasmus is only 20 years old and has a whole future ahead of him.
Immediate Needs vs Future Potential: What United Really Needs
But that could also be one of the reasons why he might not be the thing that Manchester United desperately needs at the moment – the Red Devils need a proper proven striker who can step into the role of being the main number 9 at Old Trafford right away.
On paper, the transfer is definitely not as impressive as some other moves made this summer, but as time goes on, we will see if Højlund’s move will pay off or if it will be just another example of bad business done by the Manchester United board.
The Verdict: A Gamble Worth Taking?
While Højlund’s transfer has divided opinions, there’s no denying the potential he brings. Whether he was the right choice depends on various factors: tactical adaptability, immediate impact, long-term development, and his ability to handle the inevitable pressure. While he may not provide a quick fix for United’s current issues upfront, he could be the long-term solution they’ve been seeking. So, is the gamble worth taking? That’s a question only time can answer, but one thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on the young Dane as he embarks on this new chapter of his career at Manchester United.
The coming seasons will serve as the ultimate litmus test for both Højlund and Manchester United’s decision-making. Will he blossom into the striker they envision, or will he join the ranks of expensive flops? Only time will tell, but the journey will undoubtedly be one to watch closely.
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