Thread by @EBL2017

Rasmus Højlund is a mix between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. His potential is frightening.

Not only that, but he is also a PERFECT fit for Manchester United & ten Hag's system.

Below, in an in-depth thread, I break down why Højlund will prove to be worth every penny.

THREAD!

So, a mix between Haaland and Kane..

Hojlund is not as fast as Erling, but he's fast & sticks centrally so he's a goal threat in transition.

He's also not as secure as Kane (yet), but he can create separation physically + technically, shows to feet, & strikes through the ball.

Hojlund is essentially a focal point as a creator as he primarily shows for the ball to feet but also as a penetrative option as he has the speed to run in behind but ALSO as a target in the box as he sticks centrally...

No matter where United are on the pitch he helps them!

When United have the ball in the build-up, he can drop to link play between the lines.

If they need to play direct to him, he has the physicality to go toe-to-toe with the physical brutes of the Premier League.

If they need to counter, he has the speed to run free in behind.

If United have a settled attack, Hojlund sticks centrally but has the optimal balance of showing to feet and running in behind.

This means that he can link play as I said, but with that also comes the creation of space for someone like Rashford to attack in behind the last line.

It was SO crucial for United to sign a centre forward who didn't consistently run in behind and subsequently take up the space Rashford is elite at attacking.

This is why Osimhen or Kolo Muani didn't make sense and why Harry Hane and Hojlund did.

Their profile suits the system!

Then, finally, when United are trying to break down a low block, Hojlund can create separation due to his speed and brute strength but also through technical dribbling. All he needs is a yard to use his ball-striking.

Not only that but he stays central! He's a consistent target.

Rashford recently talked about the importance of patience for a striker.

Guys like Mbappé and Rashford and may other elite players could excel in the #9 but they want to get touches of the ball so they drift out to the flanks or into #10-type areas to get touches on the ball.

That has *some* benefits to it, but it negatively impacts the positional play of the team as they lack a focal point up front.

That's why Haaland is the perfect superstar for Pep. He doesn't drift positionally so system dynamics aren't negatively impacted.

Hojlund is the same..

So, as a whole, when assessing the criteria for a #9 to excel, Hojlund ticks EVERY physical and technical box.

- Athleticism,
- Ability to strike the ball,
- Technical quality,
- Ability to create separation,
- Positional discipline.

He is also a top mental profile.

As good as one may profile stylistically and qualitatively, they have to have the mental attributes to put those qualities together.

We know Hojlund is positionally disciplined, but he also has a top physical base to press and determination to score.

They are both essential!!

So many strikers lack the overall package & are still all time greats such as Harry Kane or Sergio Aguero who may lack speed to run in behind but they excelled at the *key* attributes in the centre forward role.

So, basically, completeness does not equal greatness in the #9.

However, if we asked ourselves would Kane, for example, be better if he could also sprint in behind in transition, the answer is obviously yes as long as he harnessed his qualities in a balanced fashion.

Hojlund, on paper, has the talent to do what Kane does AND run in behind.

HOWEVER, let's slow down a bit here because he's not as technically secure as Kane.

Kane operates in a lower centre of gravity and is more coordinated as a whole.

As such a complete and physical profile, Hojlund can be quite clunky at times because of it.

Not only that but he's also more one-footed than Kane so he can be quite predictable for defenders to manage when turning around and trying to play someone like Rashford in behind in transition, for example, or when trying to get a shot off in the box.

He can also be too direct.

Although Hojlund's technical game in tight spaces is superb for a big man, he often attempts actions that strikers typically don't excel at such as 1v1's, and he isn't particularly successful within those attempts..

That means he can give the ball away more often than he should.

However, technical security, for example, will likely come with experience.

Also, as much as I compare Hojlund to Kane in certain senses, Kane wasn't even playing at the elite level at Hojlund's age!

Ten Hag can also coach those overly ambitious actions out of his game.

There is nothing he cannot do (he can even strike through the ball on his weak foot), but he's only 20. For as special as his profile is, he is still raw.

He needs to harness his physicality and technical quality and become a defined profile.

Currently, he is 'potential'.

Hojlund wasn't even reliable for Atalanta last season despite the fact that his stats were outstanding for a kid (14 goals and assists in 34 appearances).

Gasperini didn't start him every week and even brought him off at half-time away to Napoli when his influence was subpar.

This is why the reports of United easing Hojlund into the role make complete sense.

Rashford can take up much of the burden in the #9 in the short-term so Hojlund isn't relied upon to instantly provide output at a higher standard in the PL with much huge expectations at United.

What United have is a guy who profiles as someone who is likely going to become one of the best #9's in the world, but at just 20 he'll need time to adjust.

There will be immediate pressure and expectations on him, and he has the quality to excel, but patience is key with him.

Just because Hojlund can be clunky at times doesn't mean he can't create separation for himself via technical dribbling or his physicality, or that he can't receive with his back to goal, turn, & release Rashford in transition, for example.

He just needs to become more reliable.

The upside of the deal is that he is a top stylistic fit with elite potential as a player.

The downside of the deal is that he's currently raw, but United aren't even at "end-game" yet.

This is only ten Hag's second season in charge coming up. They still have levels to jump up.

United's first XI has the quality to compete if Hojlund hits the ground running quicker than expected, but they have a squad that's too limited overall which means they will likely fall too far behind the likes of Arsenal & City, but irrespective of that it's all about evolution.

Ten Hag and Manchester United needed a technically proficient goalkeeper, a second-phase specialist in the #8, and a world class #9.

They signed Onana, Mason Mount, and Hojlund.

Onana is elite on the ball, Mount can develop into a second-phase profile, and Hojlund can be elite.

Not only that, but Mainoo came through the ranks in pre-season who *IS* a second-phase specialist.

United have had a dream window, & Hojlund epitomises that. He's as complete as they come whilst being a 'specialist' profile.

Give him time, and he will flourish. I have no doubt.