[daveskimufc]

IMHO Hojlund has had a decent season, not great but given the poor performance of the team as a whole he has plugged away and come out well. Does he need to improve? Yes of course, like most young strikers do. If he can get someone to rotate with next year, and hopefully learn from he could end up leading our line well for a good few seasons.

Bang on!!

I've got no concern about him at all. Playing with wingers who just will not pass from the left and on the right a winger who CANT use that foot. He's had no chance. 15 goals in his first season the way we have been playing is terrific. Get him more support and he will bang them in next season.

His last 2 goals have been great, ball at his feet , front on Vs defenders, quick feet and bang.

 

[mu4c_20le]

First PL season for a young striker: he did well. You are a disgrace.

The problem with this line of thinking is assuming we are a club that exists solely for the purpose of developing young players. He specifically said Man Utd first choice striker so those numbers are obviously questionable.

 

[Andycoleno9]

The problem with this line of thinking is assuming we are a club that exists solely for the purpose of developing young players. He specifically said Man Utd first choice striker so those numbers are obviously questionable.

Thank you. First one who noticed that part. Despite i wrote it in nearly every single post.

 

[roseguy64]

One important thing to remember is that he's played for 4 different clubs in 4 different countries by the age of 20.

He didn't have a proper preseason this year and twice before he moved clubs midseason.

So we need to be patient with him.

The jury's still out on him but I've seen enough to know he's worth persevering with.

I played centre back and players like him were difficult as they can do everything. It's unusual to be that big but also quick and agile. If you look at his body, he has a long torso relative to his legs, so that gives him a bit more agility, balance, acceleration for his height.

He's not as silky as Benzema but he's quicker. I think he can be a Benzema or Giroud type striker. So not racking up huge numbers, but good all-round play.

Really what we want from him is to come short to receive the ball, dragging CBs with him, release the ball and this opens up space for Garnacho, Rashford etc to run into. Then he must run to the back post or front post again.

As well as that his pace and physicality is useful against high lines.

The problem has been that too many of the balls played to him have been in the air and he's wrestling with the CB rather than getting it to feet to lay it off and then run in behind for the 1-2 or the cross.

 

[Hester_manc]

Goals in their first seasons (all comps);
Gabriel Jesus, Age: 26
Arsenal - 11 Goals

Alexander Isak, Age: 23
Newcastle - 11 Goals

Darwin Nunez, Age: 23
Liverpool - 14 Goals

Rasmus Hojlund, Age: 21
Manchester United - 16 Goals

 

[Oldham]

Promising and exciting striker. Did really well for part of the season but was invisible for some parts.
Can't blame him for us not having an experient forward in the squad to share the workload and goals...

 

[Gandalf]

Thank you. First one who noticed that part. Despite i wrote it in nearly every single post.

I noticed it but I think where people are reacting is to the notion that it is a criticism of the player rather than the club.

For a kid who recently turned 21 and has had limited experience whilst bouncing through 4 clubs in as many years he has been very good and could well end up being a top PL striker in years to come. It does not alter the fact that he should never have been the main striker for a United team at this point in his career but that is a failing of the club rather than the lad himself.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The problem with this line of thinking is assuming we are a club that exists solely for the purpose of developing young players. He specifically said Man Utd first choice striker so those numbers are obviously questionable.

This makes no sense - we are developing him four ourselves because we think he's worth the patience of a season or two. If this is his base level in a bad team and with a couple of injuries, the future looks good.

 

[Mike Smalling]

The problem with this line of thinking is assuming we are a club that exists solely for the purpose of developing young players. He specifically said Man Utd first choice striker so those numbers are obviously questionable.

It doesn’t make the original post any less dumb. With the possible exception of Bruno, which player this season has put up numbers good enough for a first choice United player in their position? None of them, because of the coaching, the injuries, the general quality of the team, etc.

Judge the player under the circumstances. No one is saying 10 PL goals a season will be good enough forever or even for next season. People are saying it’s a decent start for a young player in a poor side.

 

[DJ_21]

This makes no sense - we are developing him four ourselves because we think he's worth the patience of a season or two. If this is his base level in a bad team and with a couple of injuries, the future looks good.

Agreed. People are expecting way too much from a 21 year old in a very poor team. The better the team gets and plays the better he’ll become. You can see he loves the club when he gets frustrated at missed chances all the time. He at least gives his all. We can’t say that for some senior players.

 

[elmo]

Goals in their first seasons (all comps);
Gabriel Jesus, Age: 26
Arsenal - 11 Goals

Alexander Isak, Age: 23
Newcastle - 11 Goals

Darwin Nunez, Age: 23
Liverpool - 14 Goals

Rasmus Hojlund, Age: 21
Manchester United - 16 Goals

For better context, will be good to show how many attempts they had too. Rasmus has been working with scrap the whole season.

 

[#07]

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I am disgrace?! People want to sell Bruno who is our leader in most of stats and main creator, people abuse Rashford for awful season (finished with 3 goals less in PL than Hojlund), abusing Casemiro despite he is playing out of position and basically every player this year got lots of bashing.
But God forbid questioning Hojlund. And i am not even saying that he is shit or should be sold; i am just saying that (this season) he didn't show qualities what i expect from first choice United striker.

Unbelievable. Everybody, from manager to players got a stick this year but hey, don't touch Hojlund.

For what it’s worth, I think you’re spot on in your posts. These same posters will be the most toxic about him and others when they realise they aren’t as good as they’ve been projecting.

 

[Lyng]

I am disgrace?! People want to sell Bruno who is our leader in most of stats and main creator, people abuse Rashford for awful season (finished with 3 goals less in PL than Hojlund), abusing Casemiro despite he is playing out of position and basically every player this year got lots of bashing.
But God forbid questioning Hojlund. And i am not even saying that he is shit or should be sold; i am just saying that (this season) he didn't show qualities what i expect from first choice United striker.

Unbelievable. Everybody, from manager to players got a stick this year but hey, don't touch Hojlund.

What absolute bollocks. Højlund has been getting stick all season from a lot of posters. No less "abuse" than Bruno etc.
Fact is he has done quite well given the context and now you refuse to admit it.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

Thank you. First one who noticed that part. Despite i wrote it in nearly every single post.

How come you ignored my post about Andy Cole?

 

[Raoul]

I noticed it but I think where people are reacting is to the notion that it is a criticism of the player rather than the club.

For a kid who recently turned 21 and has had limited experience whilst bouncing through 4 clubs in as many years he has been very good and could well end up being a top PL striker in years to come. It does not alter the fact that he should never have been the main striker for a United team at this point in his career but that is a failing of the club rather than the lad himself.

If that's the case then its not an accurate interpretation of those offering a critique. The issue isn't one player, its Ten Hag's overall transfer strategy and the players he chose to buy last summer, relative to the results we've had this year. Hojlund could develop into a top player in a couple of seasons, but that won't mitigate ETH's 2nd season at United, which after splashing out record transfer fees, demanded that he improve from the previous year, but instead presented us with the worst league season in nearly 5 decades.

Re the striker position: Since its United, the measuring stick for Hojlund shouldn't be Darwin Nunes or Isak - the target is actually RvN 01/02, Rooney 06/07, and RvP 12/13. That is the level of quality that should be expected. If he hasn't gotten there in year one, then that's fine, as long as he has the capability to continue improving and get there in the coming years.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

If that's the case then its not an accurate interpretation of those offering a critique. The issue isn't one player, its Ten Hag's overall transfer strategy and the players he chose to buy last summer, relative to the results we've had this year. Hojlund could develop into a top player in a couple of seasons, but that won't mitigate ETH's 2nd season at United, which demanded that he improve from the previous year, but instead presented us with the worst league season in nearly 5 decades.

Re the striker position: Since its United, the measuring stick for Hojlund shouldn't be Darwin Nunes or Isak - the target is actually RvN 01/02, Rooney 06/07, and RvP 12/13. That is the level of quality that should be expected. If he hasn't gotten there in year one, then that's fine, as long as he has the capability to continue improving and get there in the coming years.

Ok, then I understand it a bit better, though he has still gotten a lot of unwarranted and ridiculously unnecessary stick.

I just don’t think that even the ones you mention would’ve been able to do much in this team either.

For what it’s worth, I think you’re spot on in your posts. These same posters will be the most toxic about him and others when they realise they aren’t as good as they’ve been projecting.

There has been plenty of toxicity in here already with people writing him off in very unmistakable terms. I don’t get how you can’t see he’s extraordinarily talented. It truly baffles me.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

What did they say?

Cole said his first instinct is always to fight the centre half and he just couldn’t understand why. That the goal of a centre forward is to find space, which involves not being close to the centre half.

 

[STYLOISRED]

Nikolas Jackson got 14 goals and 5 assists and from what I've seen Chelsea fans think he's nowhere good enough or ready to start. Plus they got him and Nkunku for round about the same price as Hojlund.

I have a Chelsea supporting friend who said he would gladly have spent the 70mil on Hojlund instead of the 20 on Jackson. Says Hojlund reminds him of Diego Costa in how he didn't need multiple chances to score in a game.

 

[Gandalf]

Cole said his first instinct is always to fight the centre half and he just couldn’t understand why. That the goal of a centre forward is to find space, which involves not being close to the centre half.

He did say that along with the usual remarks around the awful service we are providing. I found that interesting and having seen a decent bit of Rasmus playing for Atalanta last season it is not something that he was doing before arriving here so it is presumably in response to some sort of instruction we have given him. I think someone has told him to play as a physical front man without properly defining it for him. His cameos in the last couple of games have been much closer to how he was playing in Serie A, much more of a freer role across the attack where he is facing the goal and can use his pace.

 

[V.O.]

Cole said his first instinct is always to fight the centre half and he just couldn’t understand why. That the goal of a centre forward is to find space, which involves not being close to the centre half.

Andy Cole was a 5'9" poacher, his whole game was to find space and get in behind the defence.

Hojlund is going to be a very different kind of striker. The likes of Drogba, Costa, Kane, Shearer etc all spent a lot of time physically competing with defenders and it didn't do them much harm. He needs to find a better balance and change things up, but he's not going to be a Cole/Owen/Inzaghi who just wants separation wherever he can find it.

 

[Lyng]

This video is actually really good and highlights what I have been complaining about for most of this season. Our system is wrong for the players. There was zero reason to buy Rasmus if you where not going to use him to run in the channels and let him work with the wingers.
Ten Hag needs to change our setup and I think he is too stubborn for that.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Andy Cole was a 5'9" poacher, his whole game was to find space and get in behind the defence.

Hojlund is going to be a very different kind of striker. The likes of Drogba, Costa, Kane, Shearer etc all spent a lot of time physically competing with defenders and it didn't do them much harm. He needs to find a better balance and change things up, but he's not going to be a Cole/Owen/Inzaghi who just wants separation wherever he can find it.

There’s so much Cole hate on this forum. Cole was far better at using his body to work defenders. He was taller than that too. He didn’t play anything like Inzaghi or Owen.

Also, Hojland isn’t the forward you think he is. He’s not the target man forward that some suggest he is. He’s a forward that plays best when facing goal, not away from it.

 

[AdNani]

Andy Cole was a 5'9" poacher, his whole game was to find space and get in behind the defence.

Hojlund is going to be a very different kind of striker. The likes of Drogba, Costa, Kane, Shearer etc all spent a lot of time physically competing with defenders and it didn't do them much harm. He needs to find a better balance and change things up, but he's not going to be a Cole/Owen/Inzaghi who just wants separation wherever he can find it.

tell me you never watched Andy Cole play football without telling me you never watched Andy Cole play football

 

[V.O.]

There’s so much Cole hate on this forum. Cole was far better at using his body to work defenders. He was taller than that too. He didn’t play anything like Inzaghi or Owen.

Also, Hojland isn’t the forward you think he is. He’s not the target man forward that some suggest he is. He’s a forward that plays best when facing goal, not away from it.

Who's hating Andy Cole? It's just that his body type dictated that he was a different type of striker. Yeah, it's an oversimplification to say he was just a poacher, but he was never going to be able to use his physicality to bully defenders in the way that Hojlund will be capable of if he continues his development, for his body type and skills, it made sense to be always looking for space.

Hojlund could be a very good all-round striker - yes he looks good running the channels and drifting wide like he did a lot for Atalanta playing in a front two, but it's also very rare to see a striker of his age already physically able to compete with defenders in the way he can. I can't think of a striker of that type who had mastered hold-up play and the back-to-goal stuff at his age, and if he develops that side of his game he'll be an incredible all-round #9 in a front three. I'm not saying he needs to be Chris Wood.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

Who's hating Andy Cole? It's just that his body type dictated that he was a different type of striker. Yeah, it's an oversimplification to say he was just a poacher, but he was never going to be able to use his physicality to bully defenders in the way that Hojlund will be capable of if he continues his development, for his body type and skills, it made sense to be always looking for space.

Hojlund could be a very good all-round striker - yes he looks good running the channels and drifting wide like he did a lot for Atalanta playing in a front two, but it's also very rare to see a striker of his age already physically able to compete with defenders in the way he can. I can't think of a striker of that type who had mastered hold-up play and the back-to-goal stuff at his age, and if he develops that side of his game he'll be an incredible all-round #9 in a front three. I'm not saying he needs to be Chris Wood.

Chris Wood like that, though

 

[golden_blunder]

How come you ignored my post about Andy Cole?

You’ll get used to him. Summer is when the bear comes out of the cave and roars a lot to the clouds

 

[Lyng]

You’ll get used to him. Summer is when the bear comes out of the cave and roars a lot to the clouds

 

[Rockets Redglare]

You’ll get used to him. Summer is when the bear comes out of the cave and roars a lot to the clouds

Fantastic.

 

[Red in STL]

You’ll get used to him. Summer is when the bear comes out of the cave and roars a lot to the clouds

And shits a lot in the woods

 

[Andycoleno9]

How come you ignored my post about Andy Cole?

Because it was strawman argument on many different levels.
Now, when @golden_blunder entered a chat, i am running away. Since Phil Jones debate, i always fear that he will be the one who will drop axe on my existence on Caf.

So....yeah, Hojlund man, he is great.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

Because it was strawman argument on many different levels.
Now, when @golden_blunder entered a chat, i am running away. Since Phil Jones debate, i always fear that he will be the one who will drop axe on my existence on Caf.

So....yeah, Hojlund man, he is great.

It’s a perfectly valid argument. You said Hojlund’s return this season hasn’t been good enough yet one of our greatest strikers who you are obviously a big fan of had a similar return in his first full season.

The reason I mentioned Cole is it shows that patience is required, especially as Hojlund has entered English football in a shit team at a very young age.

 

[Andycoleno9]

It’s a perfectly valid argument. You said Hojlund’s return this season hasn’t been good enough yet one of our greatest strikers who you are obviously a big fan of had a similar return in his first full season.

The reason I mentioned Cole is it shows that patience is required, especially as Hojlund has entered English football in a shit team at a very young age.

Different times, different system, different style of play.
Also, Cole had one trait which is my biggest issue with Hojlund; "nose for goal". Cole's anticipation, reaction and movement in penalty box was top notch. Hojlund's isn't.
But, no need to continue with this. Yes, i have high standards for Man Utd players. And i don't have much "sympathy" for their struggles on the pitch. I save my sympathy for people in other aspects of life, not for people who earn 100k per week and can't control the ball.

I care for Man Utd and what players bring to this club. If they can't deliver then they can just feck off.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Valid excuses: The times, the system, the style of play.
Not valid excuses: Playing in an overall crap team, never having played in the Premier League before, being 20 years old.

 

[Superwoofer]

Impressed by his two footedness, ability to take on defenders, as well as his short burst acceleration.

For such a large guy, his athleticism is truly impressive, probably not that far off Haaland on speed, though significantly weaker than him at the moment.

If he can develop his positioning and have a surer touch, we have a potentially great player on our hands.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Feel like he had a pretty good season, especially once he broke his scoring drought, hopefully he can aim for 15 in the PL and 25 overall next season.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

Different times, different system, different style of play.
Also, Cole had one trait which is my biggest issue with Hojlund; "nose for goal". Cole's anticipation, reaction and movement in penalty box was top notch. Hojlund's isn't.
But, no need to continue with this. Yes, i have high standards for Man Utd players. And i don't have much "sympathy" for their struggles on the pitch. I save my sympathy for people in other aspects of life, not for people who earn 100k per week and can't control the ball.

I care for Man Utd and what players bring to this club. If they can't deliver then they can just feck off.

Talk about double standards.

 

[PSV]

Your namesake in his first full season for United scored 11 league goals in 34 games, having already played half a season for us before and was already premier league proven.

How come you ignored my post about Andy Cole?

The summer following that we tried to get rid of Cole so that's a shit point to be fair.

Højlund is backup striker at best next season or we go nowhere again.

 

[Maagge]

Valid excuses: The times, the system, the style of play.
Not valid excuses: Playing in an overall crap team, never having played in the Premier League before, being 20 years old.

The style of play is only a valid excuse when it leads to success, not when Championship sides are taking the piss out of it.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

The summer following that we tried to get rid of Cole so that's a shit point to be fair.

Højlund is backup striker at best next season or we go nowhere again.

It’s hardly a shit point when he went on to have such a fantastic career, and his point is that Hojlund will never make it because he’s scored 10 league goals in his first season in England at 21.