It's basic but progressive and effective. Not something I would associate with many young players or strikers. Heck just look at our own team in Garnacho, Rashford, Bruno and Antony to see they don't play the 'easy' pass to the free man. Imagine if they would do the same to Hojlund instead of looking for their own or playing illogical 1% chance balls. This 'basic' stuff should be the standard but it's really not, especially for a young player playing in such a dysfunctional set up; that's why it's underrated and 'impressive' for me, which shouldn't be swept under the carpet. Similar to the way Mainoo is doing the right things rather than hollywooding it in midfield.
Having said that, I agree Hojlund's own movement, runs, touch and hold up are very inconsistent. He absolutely deserves criticism for that but the tactics and his teammates are definitely not making it easy for him. The same can be said of all of our players but the big difference is that in this tactical set up and with their individual tendencies, they get the ball at least 3-4 times more and can at least do something with it.
I've said it before but Hojlund's selflessness is actually holding him a bit back in this team. He's making 'too many' selfless runs and passing to the right person at the right times with the few times he actually gets something to feet because he's not getting it back so why bother. I'd like to see him drive towards the goal and absolutely leather the ball with his left foot. Instead he's very conservative and trying to do the right thing.
If he does though, wouldn't that just make him another selfish player, ruining chances and not bringing his teammates into play? That's the possible reality, which is why I appreciate some parts of his game that I feel some are underplaying.
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