[Rozay]

I really, really, like him, but the wide players really need to service him better. Rashford is Rashford, but Garnacho needs to get his head up and try to pick him out more.

He is making the right runs and movements but he isn’t being picked out for the easy goals often enough.

I agree to an extent, however, I think this narrative is starting to grow a few too many legs at the moment. People need to remember that we play with a front 3, not a front 1. The jobs of Rashford and Garnacho are not simply to ensure Hojlund gets enough shots - and I have no problem with Rashford or Garnacho taking the shot on where they feel they have a good chance of scoring themselves.

I do appreciate there’s nuance to it, and situations where they are simply taking the wrong choice or not passing in time, I just think the whole thing about the other forwards not passing to Hojlund enough is becoming so over emphasised now.

 

[golden_blunder]

Fugg right off

Hey Real, we have a young French striker if you’re interested

 

[Keanes Magic Hat]

6 of our next 7 games are very winnable, so he could be on 15 goals by then with 9 games remaining minimum assuming we beat Forrest in the cup.
20 is definitely achievable.

7 of 8, Chelsea is a very winnable game

 

[Maluco]

I agree to an extent, however, I think this narrative is starting to grow a few too many legs at the moment. People need to remember that we play with a front 3, not a front 1. The jobs of Rashford and Garnacho are not simply to ensure Hojlund gets enough shots - and I have no problem with Rashford or Garnacho taking the shot on where they feel they have a good chance of scoring themselves.

I do appreciate there’s nuance to it, and situations where they are simply taking the wrong choice or not passing in time, I just think the whole thing about the other forwards not passing to Hojlund enough is becoming so over emphasised now.

That’s the thing though, when watching a full game, the number of times they make the wrong choice is staggering.

It is a constant theme and makes us so inefficient in attack.

 

[lex talionis]

Luiz what a massive hypocrite, dances like a bellend infront of everyone after equailising then gets angry at Højlund for this.

Has the FA looked into this goal celebration at all? It looked like an obvious case of taunting an opponent, which I believe is a bookable offense.

 

[Rozay]

Has the FA looked into this goal celebration at all? It looked like an obvious case of taunting an opponent, which I believe is a bookable offense.

The FA don’t look into bookable offences though. What will come of it? They’re not exactly going to retrospectively book him after the game.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Loved the shithousery, quickly becoming a fan favorite

Go on lad! We need more characters like this. Martinez, Bruno and Hojlund can be our spine of shithouses. Sprinkle in someone like a Cole Palmer and we'll be golden.

 

[ash_86]

 

[Tony247]

That's horrendous. Antony only passed 6 times to Hojlund all season?! And not one was a chance created??

Nothing in the box, that's even more concerning.

 

[AlexUTD]

Has the FA looked into this goal celebration at all? It looked like an obvious case of taunting an opponent, which I believe is a bookable offense.

Good question, i doubt they will.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Has the FA looked into this goal celebration at all? It looked like an obvious case of taunting an opponent, which I believe is a bookable offense.

He's already said himself he was doing it at the fans. Would be difficult (and a bit ridiculous) for the FA to get involved in this.

 

[lex talionis]

He's already said himself he was doing it at the fans. Would be difficult (and a bit ridiculous) for the FA to get involved in this.

I hope the FA doesn’t allow this to happen again.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Football is 50% confidence and self belief, and we're starting to see that from Hojlund now. In addition to that, we've been playing better in the final third and whilst I haven't got stats to back it up, it seems as though we're creating more chances.

 

[lex talionis]

Football is 50% confidence and self belief, and we're starting to see that from Hojlund now. In addition to that, we've been playing better in the final third and whilst I haven't got stats to back it up, it seems as though we're creating more chances.

It does seem that way, but let's think about his most recent goal. It was a knockdown ball from Maguire which does go down as a chance created but it was a chance not too unlike other chances Hojlund had earlier in the season that just didn't come off for him. His confidence and self-belief are through the roof now and he takes those chances with confidence whereas earlier in the season just that fraction of a second of hesitation cost him the ability to beat the keeper.

 

[ErikElevenHag]

He's proving me wrong. He's becoming better than Weghorst.

He was levels above Weghorst before he even started scoring.

 

[AltiUn]

Football is 50% confidence and self belief, and we're starting to see that from Hojlund now. In addition to that, we've been playing better in the final third and whilst I haven't got stats to back it up, it seems as though we're creating more chances.

We're creating more chances but not necessarily for him, he's had 8 shots in his last 5 games and scored 5 of them, which is clinical but shows we should be creating more opportunities for him.

 

[MiracleInMadrid]

Nothing in the box, that's even more concerning.

Can someone find similar stats from similar types of players in the PL? 0 passes inside the box and only 6 outside seems incredibly low, but it would be relevant to benchmark it to really find out how odd it is.

 

[United888]

7 International goals in 8 appearances in 2023.
5 UCL goals this season.
He had slow start in PL but the talent was always there. The determination is shown if you actually watch him always making run, good movement and pressing. Now scoring consecutively 5 league goals in 5 league games.

We finally have our long term striker after dwelling with short term ones.

 

[In Rainbows]

He was levels above Weghorst before he even started scoring.

The Weghorst comparison never made sense. He immediately scored 5 goals for United in the CL. It's only the PL where the goals didn't end up. But that's just happenstance. Normally, those 5 goals would be spread out amongst the two competitions, but this time, Hojlund only scored in the CL.

Why would it ever make sense to use the PL competition as the decider on his quality, when it's just a completely arbitrary method of evaluation? Now sure, you would want the PL to be the competition he scored as we're still in the hunt for top 4, but other than that, there is no reason to disregard the CL in player evaluations.

 

[Grande]

I agree to an extent, however, I think this narrative is starting to grow a few too many legs at the moment. People need to remember that we play with a front 3, not a front 1. The jobs of Rashford and Garnacho are not simply to ensure Hojlund gets enough shots - and I have no problem with Rashford or Garnacho taking the shot on where they feel they have a good chance of scoring themselves.

I do appreciate there’s nuance to it, and situations where they are simply taking the wrong choice or not passing in time, I just think the whole thing about the other forwards not passing to Hojlund enough is becoming so over emphasised now.

Fair point.

 

[JediSith]

He was levels above Weghorst before he even started scoring.

Never understood that too. Weghorst just run around, tried hard, and that was about it. You could always see he was not a very good player.

With Hojlund you could see intelligence in his runs, reminded me of Shearer how he’d move to the channels, you could see he had great hold up play, great interplay, and made the right runs through the middle.

I say it without meaning insult to people. But when players like him are not scoring but playing how he was playing (plus add age etc) . Then you see from the comments who has a decent footballing IQ.

This hasn’t been said and is a bold comment. But take away the goals and Hojlund is in my opinion already a better all round player and forward than Halaand. Now of course football and strikers are judged on goals so it’s currently a moot point. But one I expect to start seeing being made and discussed in the coming seasons once Hojund gets into double digits for goals.

 

[mu4c_20le]

He was levels above Weghorst before he even started scoring.

Weghorst scored in a World Cup. Hojlund scored against Kazakstan, Slovenia and San Marino. Let's not get too carried way just yet.

 

[Member 58925]

Weghorst scored in a World Cup. Hojlund scored against Kazakstan, Slovenia and San Marino. Let's not get too carried way just yet.

Is it a relief to have dropped the serious poster facade and just go full on troll?

 

[DJ Jeff]

I really hope this isn't just a streak where he's outshooting what the team actually creates for him, but statistically, that is what it is. He won't hit double figures in PL, I'll predict that much. And he's a hugely talented young player, it's not his fault that that is the case, but he's made a silks ear of a sows purse the last few weeks with what the team actually creates for him. I don't think that can last or is an indicator that he's going to suddenly become a goal a game player. He has that in him but it will take more time and it will take the team around him (and maybe the manager) hugely improving, cause its impossible for any player to continue scoring as he has the last few weeks with how little they have to feed off.

 

[Bowlcut11]

Weghorst scored in a World Cup. Hojlund scored against Kazakstan, Slovenia and San Marino. Let's not get too carried way just yet.

I could list multiple players who have scored in a WC who are not anywhere near good enough for MUFC let alone Hojlund's level but I think you might be trolling for the sake of it at this point

 

[mu4c_20le]

I really hope this isn't just a streak where he's outshooting what the team actually creates for him, but statistically, that is what it is. He won't hit double figures in PL, I'll predict that much. And he's a hugely talented young player, it's not his fault that that is the case, but he's made a silks ear of a sows purse the last few weeks with what the team actually creates for him. I don't think that can last or is an indicator that he's going to suddenly become a goal a game player. He has that in him but it will take more time and it will take the team around him (and maybe the manager) hugely improving, cause its impossible for any player to continue scoring as he has the last few weeks with how little they have to feed off.

Agreed, at the start of the season I used Darwin's first year as a measuring stick, he had 9 goals in the league 4 in europe, 15 overall. He should be on track to reach these numbers after a rough start. It will be interesting to see what his true level is, and how consistent he can be.

I could list multiple players who have scored in a WC who are not anywhere near good enough for MUFC let alone Hojlund's level but I think you might be trolling for the sake of it at this point

Calling a 20 year old 'levels above' someone much more experienced and proven is histrionic.

 

[Bowlcut11]

Calling a 20 year old 'levels above' someone much more experienced and proven is histrionic.

Again what point are you making? Scoring at a WC doesn't automatically make you good just as not scoring at one doesn't make you awful. Is Best worst than Weghorst because he didn't score at a WC?

Being 20 doesn't make you worse than someone older by default. Is Mbappe worse than Weghorst?

 

[mu4c_20le]

Again what point are you making? Scoring at a WC doesn't automatically make you good just as not scoring at one doesn't make you awful. Is Best worst than Weghorst because he didn't score at a WC?

Being 20 doesn't make you worse than someone older by default. Is Mbappe worse than Weghorst?

Hojlund is just getting started. Calm down. No one said he is awful.

 

[DJ Jeff]

Go on lad! We need more characters like this. Martinez, Bruno and Hojlund can be our spine of shithouses. Sprinkle in someone like a Cole Palmer and we'll be golden.

Bruno won't be here in 2 years time.

 

[gajender]

Bruno won't be here in 2 years time.

If our new structure has any sense then they should try to move him on this summer itself might still be able to get some decent money for him and with most of his transfer fee probably already paid off it would also help with our FFP calculations as well.

 

[DJ Jeff]

If our new structure has any sense then they should try to move him on this summer itself might still be able to get some decent money for him and with most of his transfer fee probably already paid off it would also help with our FFP calculations as well.

I agree. I am not a Bruno hater by any means and I know we will struggle to fill the creative gap he will leave but he can definitely be improved on, especially at his age.

 

[gajender]

I agree. I am not a Bruno hater by any means and I know we will struggle to fill the creative gap he will leave but he can definitely be improved on, especially at his age.

I wouldn't call myself Bruno hater but I just don't rate the guy highly just not the kind player whom you can make your main man if you have bigger ambitions as a Club .

United need to evolve which would require some tough calls to be made letting Bruno go for me is one of the easier ones .

 

[Crimson King]

I wouldn't call myself Bruno hater but I just don't rate the guy highly just not the kind player whom you can make your main man if you have bigger ambitions as a Club .

United need to evolve which would require some tough calls to be made letting Bruno go for me is one of the easier ones .

I totally disagree and think that Bruno could easily fit into any team that's won the PL for the last 4/5 seasons. He's good enough.

However, if a big offer came in for him over the summer I would seriously consider selling and reinvesting that money into a younger player. His ability to play every game is impressive but at his age now is only going to tail off. It would also allow us to move away from the idea of a dedicated #10 and move towards a more balanced midfield 3.

I'm not sure who would buy him though. I don't think he'll want to go to Saudi. Maybe PSG? He'd probably do great in Italy, but they'd make a 2 year loan to buy eventually offer or some bs.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Bruno won't be here in 2 years time.

I agree. I am not a Bruno hater by any means and I know we will struggle to fill the creative gap he will leave but he can definitely be improved on, especially at his age.

Yawn. We've heard all of these points before in the Bruno thread. It would be nice if we could avoid discussing Bruno's future in the Hojlund thread.

I merely pointed out that we've got a couple of good shithouses in our team.

 

[Grande]

Never understood that too. Weghorst just run around, tried hard, and that was about it. You could always see he was not a very good player.

With Hojlund you could see intelligence in his runs, reminded me of Shearer how he’d move to the channels, you could see he had great hold up play, great interplay, and made the right runs through the middle.

I say it without meaning insult to people. But when players like him are not scoring but playing how he was playing (plus add age etc) . Then you see from the comments who has a decent footballing IQ.

This hasn’t been said and is a bold comment. But take away the goals and Hojlund is in my opinion already a better all round player and forward than Halaand. Now of course football and strikers are judged on goals so it’s currently a moot point. But one I expect to start seeing being made and discussed in the coming seasons once Hojund gets into double digits for goals.

Football is a sport where discussions tend to get polarized as well. The space between Weghorst and Haaland is as gigantic as being almost completely unhelpful imo. At the same time, Wout Weghorst also in my view gets roughshod by many after his while here. Not many loanees play as much as he did for us after he came, andour results where mainly good when he played, despite him scoring only once(?) and despite injuries and fatigue cropping up at that time. He was no Højlund, but some things he did really well: positioning when we had or won the ball deep; recieving, shielding and distributing the balls effectively and often smartly; pressing smartly even though our pressing set up was new to him. There where things we could do thanks to him that we couldn’t do with Rashford, Ronaldo or Martial in the same position, despite his limitations. In fact, talentwise, I don’t know how often you see a loanee make so much out of so little.

In the end, he was never anything but a stop gap out of his league, and a symptom of the club’s problems in the recruitment set up, but he did more than his expected part to me, and Imll remember him fondly.

Højlund has much more in his locker, speed for one and finishing for another, obviously very useful for a striker. Yet even he has struggled with the same thing Weghorst struggled with despite his tempo - getting the ball when going on a smart run.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

Firmly believe he might never go a PL game without scoring again.

 

[JediSith]

If you watch him off the ball, he makes loads of runs but nobody passes to him.

On Reddit there's a highlight package of United chances and you can see him constantly making runs.
Garnacho in particular is a little greedy and lacking vision although obviously I like him and he's a great talent.

Main culprit for me is Bruno. Garnacho can usually be forgiven for being a winger but Bruno so often has a clear through ball to Hojlund and seems to deliberately ignore or lacks the intelligence to play a simple through ball.

 

[Rozay]

I totally disagree and think that Bruno could easily fit into any team that's won the PL for the last 4/5 seasons. He's good enough.

However, if a big offer came in for him over the summer I would seriously consider selling and reinvesting that money into a younger player. His ability to play every game is impressive but at his age now is only going to tail off. It would also allow us to move away from the idea of a dedicated #10 and move towards a more balanced midfield 3.

I'm not sure who would buy him though. I don't think he'll want to go to Saudi. Maybe PSG? He'd probably do great in Italy, but they'd make a 2 year loan to buy eventually offer or some bs.

Surely a player who easily gets into all recent PL title winning teams would have suitors from all the top sides if available.

 

[Rozay]

Main culprit for me is Bruno. Garnacho can usually be forgiven for being a winger but Bruno so often has a clear through ball to Hojlund and seems to deliberately ignore or lacks the intelligence to play a simple through ball.

I don’t think Bruno can ever be accused of not playing the pass if it’s on. Certainly not the main culprit. If Hojlund is even neary available, Bruno will look for him for sure.

In the early part of the season there were occasions with the wide men, but the lack of service was mainly a collective issue. Poor full back combinations, poor midfield units and generally an in-cohesive team. We simply were not ready to start the season when it started. The team wasn’t formed, and we had to figure a lot out over the first few months, especially with injuries. We were always going to have a better second half provided we maintained belief. First half was not a true reflection, we were far better last season.

 

[Crimson King]

Surely a player who easily gets into all recent PL title winning teams would have suitors from all the top sides if available.

I don't think it's a matter of wanting him but the fact he's getting in a bit now and would need to be at least £60m to be worth it for us, considering what we paid for him.

Most clubs are broke.