I thought that Hojlund had a fantastic game last night and fully deserved MOTM. It is great to have a striker leading the line that shows the desire that he displayed last night. The first goal was all about his willingness to work hard for the team and force the opponent into a mistake.
The second goal was a sublime finish. To cushion the pass and then gently volley it into the corner between the defenders was absolutely class. And the final goal was a typical poachers finish, getting on the end of a ball into the box.
He stats from last night:
100% Tackles won
8 Touches in opposition box
4 Duels won
2 Big chances created
2 Shots on target
2 Goals
1 Assist
0.58xG
Clinical
I have always said that he is a good finisher, but we don't create him anywhere near enough chances. I believe that Amorim's system will change that and we are going to see Hojlund emerge as the focal point of our attacking play.
Maz has added a new dimensions to our attacks from the right and gives us width, or the option to underlap. If Shaw can stay fit, then I feel he can do the same. The two number 10s are also going to provide possession/options in the wider areas. Once the system fully clicks we are going to see a lot more crosses/balls into the box and Hojlund will finally get some decent service. And if he can continue to convert at his current rate, he can be a 30 goal a seasons striker for us.
If I was Rashford, I'd be worried. As I don't think that he offers as much as Hojlund as the No.9 or as much as Garnacho or Amad as the N0.10s. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him marginalised this season and move on come the summer.
The making of Hojlund
posted 4 days, 19 hours ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 14 minutes ago
I'd keep Hojlund as an able deputy. That isn't quite writing him off as just being a bit more realistic and believing we can do better in the longer term when the right player becomes available.
Did City settle for what they had when Haaland became available? Of course not. They upgraded and got the best one they could find.
Elvis....Are you suggesting that if another striker becomes available who is in the Haaland category we should stay away? I certainly hope you're not.
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Different circumstances. City needed to replace Aguero so went and got Haaland. Haaland is a rare player in that he's posting insane numbers at such a young age. Most players, including some of the very best strikers we're seen in the PL (Henry, Ruud etc) were nowhere near Haaland at the same age.
So having spent big on a player who will be at his best in a few seasons time, it would make little strategic sense to go out and make a big money CF signing. What would make more sense would be a mid-priced option who is a bit older and more developed all round to come in and compete with Hojlund.
As you keep failing to acknowledge in your responses to Elvis, Rasmus is doing more at the same age at a bigger club than Kane was doing in the Championship. This doesn't mean Rasmus is guaranteed to reach Kane levels, but if you're going to use Kane as a bench mark then your line of reasoning makes absolutely no sense (as usual).
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This guy gets it.
I don't have a problem with your opinion that he won't be good enough to be our main striker. Just don't don't understand your logic. If you can call it that.
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That's why we all have opinions and they are different at times.
Personally don't feel like a 21 year old who has a lot to learn still should be the guy we hang our hat on. You clearly do and that's fine.
Don't forget one second think just because we have different opinions your 'logic' is any more sound?
Retaining Hojlund but adding a world class striker makes us better surely? To me it does anyway and I'm convinced that's what will happen at some point when Amorim gets his funds.
Antony needs binning and even though it's still early days I think Zirkzee probably does too as he doesn't look anywhere near up to the level required.
What you going to say if we sign Gyokeres or someone like that? Mistake?
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If the choices are three players the head coach wants for roles we’re barely able to fill at the moment, or spaffing €100m on Gyokeres, I’ll take the three players every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Again, we posted a massive loss last season, are on track to do the same again this season unless miracles are performed, and are going to need five or six players for the first team squad in the summer.
Eriksen, Lindelof and Maguire’s contracts are up, so no fees there. Casemiro will be 33 years old and will have one more year, so a nominal fee there. We may recoup some money from sales (Rashford, Sancho, Dalot?), but we’re going to need to fill gaps left in CM and at CB first (we’re gonna need six players capable of playing at CB), and then we’re going to need at least one wingback and ten.
We’ll be lucky to be able to fill the gaping holes in the squad with potential, let alone get our hands on a ready made top draw nine, in what is very, very much a seller’s market.
posted 4 days, 19 hours ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 14 minutes ago
I'd keep Hojlund as an able deputy. That isn't quite writing him off as just being a bit more realistic and believing we can do better in the longer term when the right player becomes available.
Did City settle for what they had when Haaland became available? Of course not. They upgraded and got the best one they could find.
Elvis....Are you suggesting that if another striker becomes available who is in the Haaland category we should stay away? I certainly hope you're not.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Different circumstances. City needed to replace Aguero so went and got Haaland. Haaland is a rare player in that he's posting insane numbers at such a young age. Most players, including some of the very best strikers we're seen in the PL (Henry, Ruud etc) were nowhere near Haaland at the same age.
So having spent big on a player who will be at his best in a few seasons time, it would make little strategic sense to go out and make a big money CF signing. What would make more sense would be a mid-priced option who is a bit older and more developed all round to come in and compete with Hojlund.
As you keep failing to acknowledge in your responses to Elvis, Rasmus is doing more at the same age at a bigger club than Kane was doing in the Championship. This doesn't mean Rasmus is guaranteed to reach Kane levels, but if you're going to use Kane as a bench mark then your line of reasoning makes absolutely no sense (as usual).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This guy gets it.
I don't have a problem with your opinion that he won't be good enough to be our main striker. Just don't don't understand your logic. If you can call it that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's why we all have opinions and they are different at times.
Personally don't feel like a 21 year old who has a lot to learn still should be the guy we hang our hat on. You clearly do and that's fine.
Don't forget one second think just because we have different opinions your 'logic' is any more sound?
Retaining Hojlund but adding a world class striker makes us better surely? To me it does anyway and I'm convinced that's what will happen at some point when Amorim gets his funds.
Antony needs binning and even though it's still early days I think Zirkzee probably does too as he doesn't look anywhere near up to the level required.
What you going to say if we sign Gyokeres or someone like that? Mistake?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've not really seen him play so can't comment on his ability. I would however be wary of spending so much on a player that hasnt performed in a top league at 26 and who has only scored against a handful of quality teams.
Especially when you consider the fact that his best spell as a player has come under the manager that we now have. And even more so when you consider that we have a promising young striker who fits that manager's preferred profile and who is on a higher trajectory at the same age.
posted 4 days, 19 hours ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 3 minutes ago
Why would PSG want him on those wages? He’s not an upgrade on Barcola.
.................
PSG obviously would not be paying him those wages, would they.
If Rashers gets frozen out and I think he will, my guess is he will be quite content to take a pay cut for game time somewhere else.
Very few players stay at a club just to take the wage where they know they will not get game time.
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Yep. Said it before Amorim arrived in Manchester, and nothing has happened to change my mind until now: sadly, I think this will be Rashford’s last season at the club.
The right time for player and club to part, IMO. Would love to see him back at United in some capacity one day, but I think his career is best served right now by finding a new home.
Whatever happens, he’s been 20 years a red, and will go down as one of our very finest Academy graduates of the era.
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I agree. It is a shame how things have panned out, but I do think he needs a move.
I'd love for him to bounce back under Amorim, but I don't see him being the kind of striker that Amorim needs and I don't think he's intelligent enough for the no.9 spot.
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Doesn't look like he has the legs anymore either which is a bigger problem.
posted 4 days, 19 hours ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 59 minutes ago
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 3 minutes ago
Why would PSG want him on those wages? He’s not an upgrade on Barcola.
.................
PSG obviously would not be paying him those wages, would they.
If Rashers gets frozen out and I think he will, my guess is he will be quite content to take a pay cut for game time somewhere else.
Very few players stay at a club just to take the wage where they know they will not get game time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yep. Said it before Amorim arrived in Manchester, and nothing has happened to change my mind until now: sadly, I think this will be Rashford’s last season at the club.
The right time for player and club to part, IMO. Would love to see him back at United in some capacity one day, but I think his career is best served right now by finding a new home.
Whatever happens, he’s been 20 years a red, and will go down as one of our very finest Academy graduates of the era.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree. It is a shame how things have panned out, but I do think he needs a move.
I'd love for him to bounce back under Amorim, but I don't see him being the kind of striker that Amorim needs and I don't think he's intelligent enough for the no.9 spot.
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Doesn't look like he has the legs anymore either which is a bigger problem.
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I noticed that the other day. He certainly looks to have lost a bit of pace. I just don't think he is motivated by football anymore. Same with Sancho. And I think we saw the same with Pogba too.
posted 4 days, 18 hours ago
Doesn't look like he has the legs anymore either which is a bigger problem.
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I noticed that the other day. He certainly looks to have lost a bit of pace. I just don't think he is motivated by football anymore. Same with Sancho. And I think we saw the same with Pogba too.
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Looks a bit like that. We have seen players go through prolonged dips where we assume they are in physical decline and/or no longer have the hunger, and often they are. Theo Walcott peaked early, while as far as I know retaining motivation and professionalism. Dele Alli is a very stark case of losing the drive. There are a few examples of players who come back from the dip, either gloriously or you see that a relatively small decline was exacerbated by not being deployed effectively. I'm not saying there's a huge chance this will happen with Rashford, but it would be great if in Amorim he finally found the manager who gave him the man management he needs and understands how to get the most out of his assets within his footballing system.
posted 4 days, 18 hours ago
I wouldn't be in any hurry to upgrade on Hojlund. There are bigger issues to address player wise even in attack and I think the recruitment team will recognise that and will initially task Amorim with improving him instead of spending big on a replacement/upgrade at the first opportunity and anyway I'd be keen to see Hojlund spearheading a team that actually functions from back to front with and without the ball.
He has plenty of time to work on polishing certain parts of his game and I'm sure Amorim could find ways to work around some of his flaws too.
posted 4 days, 17 hours ago
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
I wouldn't be in any hurry to upgrade on Hojlund. There are bigger issues to address player wise even in attack and I think the recruitment team will recognise that and will initially task Amorim with improving him instead of spending big on a replacement/upgrade at the first opportunity and anyway I'd be keen to see Hojlund spearheading a team that actually functions from back to front with and without the ball.
He has plenty of time to work on polishing certain parts of his game and I'm sure Amorim could find ways to work around some of his flaws too.
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There's always the assumption that since someone is good elsewhere he will be definitely better with us. Even for Gyokeres, the step up in the league will shock him. A bird in hand.
posted 4 days, 15 hours ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 8 hours, 31 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 2 minutes ago
Hojlund comments last night:
“I think the new system and new ideas are suiting my style of play,” said Hojlund. “I still try to do the same, but obviously we play a different sort of football and system now.
“I've played this sort of football, I don't say it is the same, but a 3-4-3, I used to play that at Atlanta a little bit the same. I just try to do my job every time I step on the pitch. I think I showed last season, with being top scorer for the team, that I can score goals.
“I'm still very young, but obviously I would like to take the responsibility and that's why I also took the No.9 shirt this year, because I think I want to take it to the next level and the next step. But yeah, I still have a lot to grow. I'm still not the finished article. I'm only 21.
“I think I've improved on sort of holding and getting my back to the goal play, and I think it comes with age. Last year I had to learn the Premier League and these sorts of things. I think I get better with these sort of things every time I step foot on the pitch.”
Asked if he had a goal target in mind this term, after bagging 16 last season, Hojlund said: “No, I just try to improve every day and then score as many goals as possible when I play.”
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Absolutely nothing wrong with any of that. Sounds like a good lad and he's got his head screwed on. 👍
He will improve too of course he will. Would be difficult really for him not to. I just don't see that we've got a Harry Kane, Lewandowski, Benzema etc on our hands
here. Don't think he's going to be at that level. Right now though his level is the best we have.
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It's an interesting choice of 3 strikers there, they are some of the very best strikers of this generation so a very high bar........ None of them were hitting Rasmus numbers at the same age, in fact they didn't hit double figures it the big leagues until 23 so Rasmus is ahead of all of them.
With regards to Amorim spending on a striker at the first opportunity, given we need at least 4 players in more critical positions (for his system) that first real opportunity for a striker would be 18-24 months away, probably longer for a top drawer, £100m striker.
I hope Amorim goes back to our old style of turning young players into great players. it's been far too long where we've tried to buy ready made players and it not work out. I'm surprised fans are still calling for United to spend top money again rather than being patient and developing the players we have. We will need new players for the system but we have a striker to fit this system
posted 4 days, 14 hours ago
comment by Arctic Monkey (U14534)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 8 hours, 31 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 2 minutes ago
Hojlund comments last night:
“I think the new system and new ideas are suiting my style of play,” said Hojlund. “I still try to do the same, but obviously we play a different sort of football and system now.
“I've played this sort of football, I don't say it is the same, but a 3-4-3, I used to play that at Atlanta a little bit the same. I just try to do my job every time I step on the pitch. I think I showed last season, with being top scorer for the team, that I can score goals.
“I'm still very young, but obviously I would like to take the responsibility and that's why I also took the No.9 shirt this year, because I think I want to take it to the next level and the next step. But yeah, I still have a lot to grow. I'm still not the finished article. I'm only 21.
“I think I've improved on sort of holding and getting my back to the goal play, and I think it comes with age. Last year I had to learn the Premier League and these sorts of things. I think I get better with these sort of things every time I step foot on the pitch.”
Asked if he had a goal target in mind this term, after bagging 16 last season, Hojlund said: “No, I just try to improve every day and then score as many goals as possible when I play.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely nothing wrong with any of that. Sounds like a good lad and he's got his head screwed on. 👍
He will improve too of course he will. Would be difficult really for him not to. I just don't see that we've got a Harry Kane, Lewandowski, Benzema etc on our hands
here. Don't think he's going to be at that level. Right now though his level is the best we have.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's an interesting choice of 3 strikers there, they are some of the very best strikers of this generation so a very high bar........ None of them were hitting Rasmus numbers at the same age, in fact they didn't hit double figures it the big leagues until 23 so Rasmus is ahead of all of them.
With regards to Amorim spending on a striker at the first opportunity, given we need at least 4 players in more critical positions (for his system) that first real opportunity for a striker would be 18-24 months away, probably longer for a top drawer, £100m striker.
I hope Amorim goes back to our old style of turning young players into great players. it's been far too long where we've tried to buy ready made players and it not work out. I'm surprised fans are still calling for United to spend top money again rather than being patient and developing the players we have. We will need new players for the system but we have a striker to fit this system
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posted 4 days, 13 hours ago
As Amorim said after the game, he still takes too many touches. He needs to work on getting his head up quickly. Once you have that ball under control, lay it off lad...