[Insanity]

You don't need to go further back than the Brentford game where Højlund made an exquisite touch before chipping it over the goalkeeper and scoring. He doesn't have loose touches constantly throughout the game.

I guess the point I'm making by bringing Gyokeres (and other strikers) into this is to show that your emotional attachment to United is probably making you exaggerate his weaknesses. Every striker has loose touches every now and then. You don't think much of it when Haaland or Gyokeres does it because you don't really care, whereas when Højlund does it, you get annoyed and begin to think it is a weakness, and confuse it for inconsistency.

But yes, this team should not be relying on a 21 year old to lead the line. Maybe he is ready in 2-3 years, but he has a lot of work to do. I just think he has a bigger ceiling than a lot in here seem to think, and I'm patient with him because I find his skill set to be quite complete for such a young striker other than his aerial ability, and confident he will be a class striker in a few years. He is after all one of the highest rated young strikers, even if there are very few of them these days.

I disagree, buddy. One or two good instances haven't convinced me that he is ever going to become an answer as a first choice. However, I think he can be a very solid #2 to come late in games against tired defenses or as a reliever for the main striker in cup games etc. But I guess time will tell. May be I'll be proven wrong and he improves enough to become a top player.

 

[Leethal]

Problem is, no striker will shine in our current set up. Currently, Marcus and Garnacho do not pass the ball at all and whenever the balls played to them, they just cut in and shoot on sight. It’s got to be frustrating for our strikers with the lack of service they get. Our wide players are just greedy bastards, who think they are far better than they are.

Hopefully, with Amorim, we will start to utilise our strikers more. Hojlund is probably our best finisher, and just doesn’t get the opportunity to prove it.

 

[Revival2024]

The bolded proves you don't have a clue what you are talking about. His second season has barely started after he missed the first month with injury. In his first season he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances which is pretty damn good in a team that created hardly any chances for him and for the record he had the best shot conversion rate of any PL striker that season.

So far as the age debate goes. Nobody is saying age will magically transform him, he will be transforme

The bolded proves you don't have a clue what you are talking about. His second season has barely started after he missed the first month with injury. In his first season he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances which is pretty damn good in a team that created hardly any chances for him and for the record he had the best shot conversion rate of any PL striker that season.

So far as the age debate goes. Nobody is saying age will magically transform him, he will be transformed by experience and coaching just like the 99% of professional footballers who were nowhere near their peak at 21. Your denial of reality is a symptom of your derangement not a fact.

You sound emotional. I think you should have a lie down. Might do you the world of good.

 

[fps]

You sound emotional. I think you should have a lie down. Might do you the world of good.

The other poster makes good points.

 

[Lyng]

I disagree, buddy. One or two good instances haven't convinced me that he is ever going to become an answer as a first choice. However, I think he can be a very solid #2 to come late in games against tired defenses or as a reliever for the main striker in cup games etc. But I guess time will tell. May be I'll be proven wrong and he improves enough to become a top player.

If you watch this, you will notice how he is actually doing pretty much the same runs that Rasmus tries to do. But he gets the pass to run on. Something Rasmus almost never gets. I am not claiming Højlund will become as good as Gyokeres but there are a lot of similarities and the setup Amorim uses is tailormade for the type of striker Højlund is.

 

[Jippy]

You sound emotional. I think you should have a lie down. Might do you the world of good.

Quit with the flippant responses. Either engage properly on the subject or just don't bother responding if you don't have anything constructive to add.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

I am not claiming Højlund will become as good as Gyokeres but there are a lot of similarities and the setup Amorim uses is tailormade for the type of striker Højlund is

Maybe it’s time to just ignore the trolls and semi-trolls and discuss what matters. If we’re being reasonable the discussion is whether or not Hojlund can become so good that he’ll be our number one for the next decade.
If he doesn’t improve at all, ie. stays at the level he’s at now, I think we’ll sell him in a couple of years and he’ll become an all right mid table striker. That for me is worst case for him (unless injures etc.)
Best case he’ll keep improving under Amorim and quickly come closer and closer to the level most of us require. I don’t think that will take more than a season and if Amorim gets us playing more like Porto and feed Hojlund like Gyokeres is fed he’ll score many goals this season already.
I simply don’t see many other strikers who’s as clinical as him, and very few young strikers as developed and mature in both decision making (contrary to our wingers he constantly look for the best option available) and mentality in general. Add to that his constant optimism and self belief and I think he has what it takes.

 

[Ekeke]

Problem is, no striker will shine in our current set up. Currently, Marcus and Garnacho do not pass the ball at all and whenever the balls played to them, they just cut in and shoot on sight. It’s got to be frustrating for our strikers with the lack of service they get. Our wide players are just greedy bastards, who think they are far better than they are.

Hopefully, with Amorim, we will start to utilise our strikers more. Hojlund is probably our best finisher, and just doesn’t get the opportunity to prove it.

I don't quite agree with you. Garnacho had a surprisingly okay key pass amount last season (1.6 per 90 mins, Gakpo, Salah and Diaz start at 1.9 and above this season) and Rashford will try to come inside and play some crosses (He has 1.4 per 90 mins this season)

Is it their strong suit to be creative? Absolutely not. And are they predictable supply for the striker, like taking a player on the outside and crossing the ball used to be? No.

Unfortunately thats the system we've used ever since we signed Mata and played him from the right. Our attackers come inside, where its already congested and harder to make use of pace, requireing more delicate technique and touches that they dont always have. Granted other teams do this and are fine but they have players who suit playing that way.

As for Hojlund I still maintain that if we're picking him weekly, as long as he doesnt look off the pace fitness wise like at the end of last seaon, he'll score goals. But not as many as we need. With him being selected less than last season to rotate in Zirkzee I'm not sure he'll get more than the 10 premier league goals he got last season. I dont think Zirkzee will get more than 6 league goals without being first choice starter most weeks. Between the two we'll get maybe 15-16 from our striker position and some will call me optimistic.

Also I should comment that Amad has 3 key passes per 90 mins, across 8 appearances although its only 391 minutes. A small sample size but clearly if we want a winger who will set up a teammate a bit more often we have one ready to be picked.

And an even smaller sample size for Antony who has just 27 minutes. But in that time he made 1 key pass which is so far the best ratio of mins to key passes from our attackers. Its just too small to take seriously

 

[Gandalf]

You sound emotional. I think you should have a lie down. Might do you the world of good.

Not even a little bit emotional, just bemused that anyone can spout such rubbish in a thread and think they are making a rational argument.

 

[Ish]

Can’t believe the amount of shite being spouted on here about a 21 year old. Such extremes like he definitely won’t ever be good enough to be first choice etc.

 

[JBG]

Can’t believe the amount of shite being spouted on here about a 21 year old. Such extremes like he definitely won’t ever be good enough to be first choice etc.

I truly believe that Amorim will get the best out of him and we will see Højlund start scoring goals for fun. He prefers a striker that can run in behind and also have the ball at his feet when turned towards the defensive line and not with his back towards it. Which should suit Højlund much more.

 

[MF1138]

I look forward to him getting a good run in Amorim's system which should suit him better and hopefully get the best out of him. It remains to be seen if he's good enough or not but I think the new system will suit him more than the previous "system". He will have more pressure to perform as he will be the focal point and expected to carry much of the goalscoring burden.

 

[sunama]

We all saw that under ETH, we did not play in a way which was conducive to scoring goals. Our defence was average. Our attack was terrible. midfield wasn't great.
I honestly can't say anything positive about ETH's tactics.
So, we must give Hojlund a full season under the new manager and see if he comes good. If he doesn't do anything special in that first year, I think he won't be good enough to spearhead the attack of a top club.

Will he score 20+ league goals a season? I don't see this happening because that takes a special talent.
But will he be able to score about 15 league goals a season - probably - as long as the tactics allow for goal-scoring.

 

[DJ_21]

I look forward to him getting a good run in Amorim's system which should suit him better and hopefully get the best out of him. It remains to be seen if he's good enough or not but I think the new system will suit him more than the previous "system". He will have more pressure to perform as he will be the focal point and expected to carry much of the goalscoring burden.

Agreed. I also think our wingbacks should contribute a lot to goals. Especially if he plans on playing amad/Garnacho in them positions against weaker opposition.

 

[lex talionis]

Football is a cruel business. If a striker isn't scoring goals, at least for a club of Unted's stature, the club will evaluate alternatives. I like Hojlund, and I agree with the argument that ETH's tactics were diabolical and undercut Hojlund's potential effectiveness, but a top striker has to be able to create their own chances and not just feed off tactics suited him. Ruud and Rooney scored many goals that came entirely off their craft and not perfect through balls and crosses. Hojlund has to be able to create his chances to carve out a great career at Old Trafford, regardless of the manager or his tactics.

 

[Rojofiam]

Football is a cruel business. If a striker isn't scoring goals, at least for a club of Unted's stature, the club will evaluate alternatives. I like Hojlund, and I agree with the argument that ETH's tactics were diabolical and undercut Hojlund's potential effectiveness, but a top striker has to be able to create their own chances and not just feed off tactics suited him. Ruud and Rooney scored many goals that came entirely off their craft and not perfect through balls and crosses. Hojlund has to be able to create his chances to carve out a great career at Old Trafford, regardless of the manager or his tactics.

This is an interesting argument that's been used against Hojlund countless times during his time at United, but the people who raise it...do you just forget about Haaland's existence? And let's not pretend Hojlund isn't at least capable of creating something out of nothing, as much as Haaland is able to. I'd say the Dane is better at this tbf.

 

[Captmfla]

Hojlund is at least 85% as good as Gyokeres. Most of the stuff Gyo did, Hojlund can probably do it too.

And bear in mind, Hojlund is 21 while Gyo is 26 meaning in a few years time, Gyo will be considered old and given limited appearances plus his resale value will be low if he doesn't perform. So any transfers need to be looked ar very carefully.

 

[Ish]

I truly believe that Amorim will get the best out of him and we will see Højlund start scoring goals for fun. He prefers a striker that can run in behind and also have the ball at his feet when turned towards the defensive line and not with his back towards it. Which should suit Højlund much more.

Agreed. But it’s just funny. Probably some of the same people writing Hojlund off right now; salivating at the prospect of us signing Gyokeres….who was exactly where at the age 21?

Not that everyone develops at the same pace or linearly. That’s not the point….just give the lad some time.

 

[Castia]

Such an average player

Needs to be loaned out or something he’s nowhere near good enough

 

[Samid]

Let's hope Ruben is a miracle worker.

 

[Josep Dowling]

Yeah not good enough. But then a 20 year old striker should not come into United and made a starter. Recruitment once again shocking. Spending £70m on potential when we had no strikers in the squad. The decision makers at the club are clueless.

 

[Insanity]

Have patience, he is going to turn into Brazilian Ronaldo in two years.

 

[Grand Vizier]

Have patience, he is going to turn into Brazilian Ronaldo in two years.

Yes. There is nothing between being shit and prime Ronaldo.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Technically so bad, doesn’t fill me with confidence.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

Put this thread on ignore for a few days and return when people have let off steam.
His worst game for us, I think. Looking forward to seeing him under Amorim.

 

[CannibalSpectre]

A nothing performance against poor opponents. Their 31 year old second string CB comfortably outpowered him

 

[Bobski]

One of the most anonymous performances a Utd player has put on in my memory and in the brief, fleeting moments he was in the game it would have been better if he had not been.

Terrible, by far his worst game for the club, not involved, not a threat.

Do better Ras.

 

[Shark]

Yeah, he's not looking like a striker who we can rely on at this moment in time, but we all knew that in the summer. Everyone knew we needed a top striker in the door while he develops.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Looks like he could do with being benched for a couple of games. Shame our backup striker is even more anonymous than an out of form Hojlund.

 

[Adz_99]

Still working his way back to match fitness. I'm not completely giving up on him yet.

 

[santeria13]

Put this thread on ignore for a few days and return when people have let off steam.
His worst game for us, I think. Looking forward to seeing him under Amorim.

But this is literally a typical performance from him. He is invisible in the majority of games he plays.

 

[Grand Vizier]

Made two good runs, one should have been a goal if Amad had passed. Other than that, very poor game.

 

[No Love]

His passing is shite, and he knows it too. He’s reluctant to play any kind of meaningful forward pass and instead just holds onto the ball for what feels like an eternity before losing it.

 

[Telsim]

Still believe in him. Amorim is his chance to improve. All eyes on him next month. Time will tell what he does.

But that was a bad game against PAOK.

 

[The Mitcher]

Shit again.

 

[Blood Mage]

Just so poor technically. The ball just doesn't stick to him and he can't pass for shit.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

Some days he gives me hope that he's a decent footballer. Today was not one of those days.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Very poor lately.

 

[Red Royal]

One of his worst games today but he will come good

 

[Mike Smalling]

Mostly very, very poor.

The one thing I will say, is that we still don't seem to use him correctly. His main strength seems to be running the channels and being fed through balls, and that's how he has gotten both his goals this season. We just never manage to do that. Probably it's partly down to his movement, and partly down to our attack setup, which is always a mess.