[gaffs]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

I noticed this for the goal. It happens all the time. He doesn't know where to be.

The best we can hope for is some good coaching over the summer because no one is buying this.

 

[lex talionis]

The boy has yet to hit the races. He needs to show up against Southampton.

 

[Waynne]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

Doesn't even glance over his left shoulder otherwise he'd have spotted Bruno in acres of space.

Had he done that he could have darted inside on his right towards Garnacho to drag his retreating defender with him leaving Bruno with only the goalkeeper to beat. The inside run opens up more options for Garna. Either pass to him or Bruno. In the end Garna only had one option.

Strange player that makes strange runs at times. We really need a good CF asap.

 

[That_Bloke]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

Awful movement.

He basically chose the worst place to be, and that's in a 3 vs 2.

There's no way any sane player would try to pass to him in that position. No chance the ball would reach him.

 

[Fortitude]

Incidentally, even Shearer on commentary said the kid should be an understudy to an established striker and that he feels for him because he’s not ready for all of this yet.

Think he said it in the latter part of the first half for anyone wanting to pull up the clip.

 

[FlawlessVictory88]

You can't say Hojlund is in his element playing against teams from Turkey or Belgium as if Zirkzee was banging them in against prime Barcelona week in week out.

11 goals in 34 games in the league for Zirkzee
10 goals in 30 games in the league for Hojlund

I''m agreeing with you here that Zirkzee's general play is better when he plays well, but you're just making shit up here really, Hojlund has more overall goals and scored 1 less in the league last season - in a league that is generally a lot tougher, Zirkzee has found out himself quickly that he needs to up his tempo, aggression and realise he doesn't have as much time on the ball as he thinks. I have some faith he can adapt, but he will never have that pace or power. Whether the club will stick with him or Hojlund I don't know, but at the moment they are both playing substandard to what is required, even if Zirkzee's general play is currently better, or Hojlunds finishing is better.

Honestly if we could merge them together we'd probably have the perfect forward.

What did I make up exactly?

I cited his stats over an entire Serie A season for dribbles/progressive carries/progressive passes/chances created etc etc

That's not making shit up or even cherry picking data, it's literally taking the largest data set we have to make comparisons which is far more reliable than your personal eye test.

 

[The Serpent]

Meh, he was a bustling athletic 1 in 4 PL striker who'd put himself about and run channels. Definitely better aerially for sure, but my point is it's not hard to find those types of profiles. People keep wanting Hojlund to "develop" but I don't think he has enough "developmental qualities" for it to be worth continuously giving him huge minutes. He's not going to suddenly refine his touch and technique, or start winning a bunch of headers. Best you can hope for is he actually figures out how to move like a striker to get on to more service in the box but even then is it worth the extra 5 goals or so?

I agree with you buddy but my point is Hojlund is not even Antonio level, because we effectively play with 10 men when he starts and offers absolutely nothing in the air, so there is no point even setting our flanks to whip crosses into him or use him as a target man for his height since the ball bounces off him when it's played into his feet and can't bring the ball down to feed and link it off with other players.

Antonion actually had the strength to bully defenders and link play, Hojlund gets bullied, backing into a defender and then falling over with them is not causing a problem to anybody but himself, that's why by the 60th minute he's worn out. The only redeeming quality he has is that if an opportunity presents itself he can be a good finisher but that is never enough for a Manchester United striker, chicarito was ten times a more effective poacher and finisher yet he was always considered only good enough for a sub role, the same with Ole.

The standards for our number 9 have fallen so far into the pits, that we are praising our main striker for managing to hold up the ball once in a while or occupy defenders to let others score, you couldn't make it up. If we had a decent striker we would we be far more dynamic in attack and we wouldn't be needing to go life and death with every team we play under Amorim

 

[Idxomer]

His first touch is a big problem and it's not a confidence thing like it could be with Zirkzee. It's an inherent flaw in his game, it was the same in Atalanta and last season. Last night, the ball went back quickly to Arsenal 4 of 5 times before the red card because he couldn't keep hold of the ball. You can't build an attacking unit around that.

 

[romufc]

His first touch is a big problem and it's not a confidence thing like it could be with Zirkzee. It's an inherent flaw in his game, it was the same in Atalanta and last season. Last night, the ball went back quickly to Arsenal 4 of 5 times before the red card because he couldn't keep hold of the ball. You can't build an attacking unit around that.

Its really frustrating, everytime we pass out and then play a pass into Hojlund, it just comes back as it bounces of him. He had 1 bit of good hold up play all game and we created a chance.

He seems to lose balance when holding the ball, I must admit, I did not think it would be that hard to work on hold up play. 20/30 mins a day in training on that, surely one can improve that.

 

[sebsheep]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

Whether it's the best move, it's not really bizarre is it? He's initially making sure to keep the space for Garnacho and then getting into a position for a tap in at the far post.

 

[Lyng]

The standards for our number 9 have fallen so far into the pits, that we are praising our main striker for managing to hold up the ball once in a while or occupy defenders to let others score, you couldn't make it up. If we had a decent striker we would we be far more dynamic in attack and we wouldn't be needing to go life and death with every team we play under Amorim

Funny enough thats exactly what you are praising Zirkzee for. All the while complaining about double standards.....

I dont think either is good enough at the moment, but man the amount of shit that gets thrown at them from our fans is insane. Predictably the usual idiot accounts have started calling both of them all kinds of names on twitter and facebook. Soon we will probably have some african government mention them like with Maguire.

 

[pacifictheme]

I feel like we need to have seen more from him by now to really believe he will lead the line for us in the future. What a waste of money (not his fault).

If you combined the best bits of hojlund and zirkzee the result still wouldn't be a player I'd have faith in, both aren't good enough.

 

[The Serpent]

Funny enough thats exactly what you are praising Zirkzee for. All the while complaining about double standards.....

I dont think either is good enough at the moment, but man the amount of shit that gets thrown at them from our fans is insane. Predictably the usual idiot accounts have started calling both of them all kinds of names on twitter and facebook. Soon we will probably have some african government mention them like with Maguire.

Difference is Zirkee has not even had a run of games in the team, hes had to make due to making impression coming on cold off the bench and expected to produce every time in 10-15 minute cameos. Cost 35 milllion and been here half a season, and I am not even sure he had a pre season with us. I don't do double standards my friend. if Zirkee was in his 2nd season and had played the amount of minutes Hojlund was playing and doing nothing where we are looking like we have 10 men on the pitch, I would be saying the exact same thing.

Holund went 14 games without scoring last season there was no murmurs of him of needing to be sold by our fanbase. Zirkee has put in a few stinkers off the bench after 6-7 league appearances and he receives boos and universal calls to be sold even though he has only 2 less goals than Hojlund and same number of assists. That's what you call double standards.

 

[Rozay]

His movement is terrible, hence his lack of service. For Bruno’s goal, he managed to position himself where it would be impossible to receive the ball. It was the exact same for Amad’s goal at Anfield last week.

I said many times early in the season that for all the criticism of Zirkzee, he seems to be at least missing chances, getting on the end of things far more often than Hojlund does. It is not uncommon at all for Hojlund to leave the pitch with no attempts. Even against Liverpool early in the season, Zirkzee had several attempts on goal. You are extremely unlikely to see Hojlund play Liverpool, City or Arsenal and have up to three attempts.

 

[Lyng]

Difference is Zirkee has not even had a run of games in the team, hes had to make due to making impression coming on cold off the bench and expected to produce every time in 10-15 minute cameos. Cost 35 milllion and been here half a season, and I am not even sure he had a pre season with us. I don't do double standards my friend. if Zirkee was in his 2nd season and had played the amount of minutes Hojlund was playing and doing nothing where we are looking like we have 10 men on the pitch, I would be saying the exact same thing.

Holund went 14 games without scoring last season there was no murmurs of him of needing to be sold by our fanbase. Zirkee has put in a few stinkers off the bench after 6-7 league appearances and he receives boos and universal calls to be sold even though he has only 2 less goals than Hojlund and same number of assists. That's what you call double standards.

Zirkzee's worst perfomances have been when starting, exactly like Højlund. They are both much better when subbed on. Which is usually also the best way to bed in young players.
Højlund last season, which was his first had much better numbers. Despite playing for a much less functioning team.
LIke I said, both arent currently good enough and should be understudy to a ready striker.

Højlund went 14 games without scoring in the Prem, but was Champions League top scorer, and ended up with a decent return in his first season.
But the whole who is better doesnt matter at the moment given that both should not be leading the line at United.

 

[NZT-One]

Forget the price tag. All we are expecting is the basics. Show that you can hold the ball up and help your defence and midfield play out of pressure.

If he cant link up play with his back to goal, he is no good in an Amorim team.

I think it is. When you buy young players, you never know how they turn out. This actually applies not only to young players but to those especially. Which is why it is so important to not overspent there in high pressure situation or to have at least a plan to relieve some of the pressure. I agree with you, Hojlund falls short of expectations unfortunately and I think, we have to do something in terms of striker. I just don't think overspending on a player from a lower league is the way to go. If we don't expect Hojlund to make the step up, let him go to preserve some of the price we paid and re-invest into another striker. I have nothing against it, but some fans on here sound as if we should add another striker to the mix and I think, this wouldn't be a good idea, given that we already have two strikers who are in need for game time.

 

[Chumpsbechumps]

Incidentally, even Shearer on commentary said the kid should be an understudy to an established striker and that he feels for him because he’s not ready for all of this yet.

Think he said it in the latter part of the first half for anyone wanting to pull up the clip.

This is a huge issue for me. Hoijland has all the qualities to be a top striker but he’s getting zero help in his nurturing. At that age you have to be able to take these lads out of the firing line. He’s being pummeled into the ground and I’d say his confidence is at an all time low.

We’ve seen world class players come to United and look a shadow of themselves , it’s harder for a younger inexperienced striker to do the same. And it’s not like he joked a well oiled machine like pool or city, he joined the cast of Monty pythons.

People judging him in the mess he arrived to, are wrong. I think the fairest analysis would be that the jury is still out on him and until he’s played in a settled man United team and has a proper run (after getting a few goals and built some confidence), they just don’t know.

 

[The Serpent]

Zirkzee's worst perfomances have been when starting, exactly like Højlund. They are both much better when subbed on. Which is usually also the best way to bed in young players.
Højlund last season, which was his first had much better numbers. Despite playing for a much less functioning team.
LIke I said, both arent currently good enough and should be understudy to a ready striker.

Højlund went 14 games without scoring in the Prem, but was Champions League top scorer, and ended up with a decent return in his first season.
But the whole who is better doesnt matter at the moment given that both should not be leading the line at United.

Our best game under Amorim was when Zirkee started with amad and rashford and won 4-0 with zirkee assisting and scoring 2 goals then got dropped the next game. This idea that when he starts he always looks poor needs to stop. He's never once had a run of games, so it's impossible to judge. For me it's not about hojlund vs Zirkee or putting them in the same bracket, because one hasn't even been given a full season to show what they are capable of to actually judge while the other has had nearly 2 full seasons and a host of backing,excuses, protection and support

There's also many times Hojlund has come off the bench and done nothing but it doesn't get flagged up. He was not champions league top scorer either he scored 5 goals in the CL most against copenhagen and Galatarasy. He's never scored against Spurs, arsenal, City or Pool in the league. If Zirkee went 14 games without doing anything in the league, he would be booed and cheered to hell

 

[Lyng]

Our best game under Amorim was when Zirkee started with amad and rashford and won 4-0 with zirkee assisting and scoring 2 goals then got dropped the next game. This idea that when he starts he always looks poor needs to stop. He's never once had a run of games, so it's impossible to judge. For me it's not about hojlund vs Zirkee or putting them in the same bracket, because one hasn't even been given a full season to show what they are capable of to actually judge while the other has had nearly 2 full seasons and a host of backing,excuses, protection and support

There's also many times Hojlund has come off the bench and done nothing but it doesn't get flagged up. He was not champions league top scorer either he scored 5 goals in the CL most against copenhagen and Galatarasy. He's never scored against Spurs, arsenal, City or Pool in the league. If Zirkee went 14 games without doing anything in the league, he would be booed and cheered to hell

he was champions league top scorer until we went out and he scored against Bayern.
Your agenda is fecking tiresome. This idea that Højlund didnt get critizised his whole first season is also idiotic.
Your posts are such a bunch of pick and choose waffle with goal posts being moved faster than the average Arsenal player can dive.
That 4 - 0 was also not over best performance this season. Even Amorim said as much.

 

[Giggsyking]

The boy has yet to hit the races. He needs to show up against Southampton.

He should not start ever again.

 

[The Serpent]

he was champions league top scorer until we went out and he scored against Bayern.
Your agenda is fecking tiresome. This idea that Højlund didnt get critizised his whole first season is also idiotic.
Your posts are such a bunch of pick and choose waffle with goal posts being moved faster than the average Arsenal player can dive.
That 4 - 0 was also not over best performance this season. Even Amorim said as much.

My agenda? I don't think you should be projecting, I'm not one of these guys willing for our own players to fail or big up someone just because they are the same nationality. You are from Denmark and suprise suprise you want to get triggered every time Hojlund is rightly called out.

You said he was Champions League top scorer which was a false statement. Let me ask you this, did Hojlund ever get booed by his own fans last season? Where there calls for him to be sold in the January window when he was going through that drought in the league?

 

[Lyng]

My agenda? I don't think you should be projecting, I'm not one of these guys willing for our own players to fail or big up someone just because they are the same nationality. You are from Denmark and suprise suprise you want to get triggered every time Hojlund is rightly called out.

You said he was Champions League top scorer which was a false statement. Let me ask you this, did Hojlund ever get booed by his own fans last season? Where there calls for him to be sold in the January window when he was going through that drought in the league?

Really? Wtf is wrong with you?? This idea that I am danish so I cant be objective about danes?? . Are you going to apply the same logic to english fans? If you would actually open your eyes you would see I have said so many times that he isnt ready to lead the line and shouldnt be our starting striker. In fact I have gone as far as said I think he might never come good for us.


It wasnt. he was Champions League topscorer while we where in the tournament.
No he didnt. but he has gotten all kinds of names thrown at him etc online. I was absolutely disgusted by the booing of Zirkzee.

Yes there where calls for him to get sold again and there have been calls for him to get sold from his second match, also because some fans thought we picked him over Kane, when in reality we where never going to get Kane.

 

[sugar_kane]

The 'no service' excuse is tiresome, he's just playing badly - even when the team is playing well.

But he is young and he proved last season he can play... remember that hot streak he had in Jan/Feb where he scored like 7 in 8 or something? There were a couple of games as well where he turned in MOTM performances and was an absolute beast at hold up play and passing, all the things it looks like he can't do to save his life right now.

We just need someone else (Zirkzee isn't really the answer as he isn't a centre forward) for him to rotate with, he looks like he needs a break. A couple of strong appearances off the bench will do him a world of good.

 

[Bondi77]

His lack of technique is quite shocking really and I find it hard to believe this was not picked up on before we bought him.

 

[Lyng]

The 'no service' excuse is tiresome, he's just playing badly - even when the team is playing well.

But he is young and he proved last season he can play... remember that hot streak he had in Jan/Feb where he scored like 7 in 8 or something? There were a couple of games as well where he turned in MOTM performances and was an absolute beast at hold up play and passing, all the things it looks like he can't do to save his life right now.

We just need someone else (Zirkzee isn't really the answer as he isn't a centre forward) for him to rotate with, he looks like he needs a break. A couple of strong appearances off the bench will do him a world of good.

He has been absolutely awful this season. He desperately needs time out of the firing line.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

I didn't watch the game live because I was at work. I read this read before watching the recording and feel that a lot of people here are very harsh about his performance. He wasn't great but reading through this suggested he was like Ade Akinbiyi

 

[Woodywizz]

It’s getting tiresome now that, whenever we pass the ball into him, one of two things always happens :

• He receives the ball, back to goal - it bounces 10 yards off him straight to an opponent; or
• He receives the ball, back to goal. Actually controls it this time but he then shoves his arse back into the opponent, has a tussle, falls over and loses the ball.

And repeat.

 

[Denis79]

Yesterday, I watched the game with my old man, and he made an interesting point about Hojlund. We tend to compare him to world-class players because, for so many years, we’ve been spoiled with having some of the best strikers in the world. But Hojlund has shown that he isn't destined to become an absolute top-tier player like Haaland, Kane, or Rooney. Instead, he’s more likely to develop into someone on the level of Benteke, Carroll, or Defoe. We need to manage our expectations and stop judging him as though he’s a world-class talent, because he’s not. That said, we still need to bring in another striker to allow him to develop without the added pressure.

 

[acnumber9]

He’s just nowhere near good enough and we shouldn’t have to wait three seasons to say it because he’s young.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

His movement is terrible, hence his lack of service. For Bruno’s goal, he managed to position himself where it would be impossible to receive the ball. It was the exact same for Amad’s goal at Anfield last week.

I agree for Bruno's goal. But Amad's goal last week does not happen without him running towards the near post and dragging Van Dijk away from the ball

 

[Rozay]

I agree for Bruno's goal. But Amad's goal last week does not happen without him running towards the near post and dragging Van Dijk away from the ball

It doesn’t, that’s correct. That’s not the point, unless the counter is that Hojlund is deliberately making these runs for his teammates.

The point is that these goals definitely don’t happen for our centre forward.

 

[Red00012]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

This is a regular occurrence to be honest I don’t think he’s a very intelligent striker . He doesn’t seem to know where and when to pull away from a defender.

 

[tomaldinho1]

His movement is so bizarre here - why is he getting behind the furthest defender instead of moving in front of him/getting in the middle?

You guys are so odd, like you are watching a highlight but are so determined to criticise you don't actually watch it?

Criticise him for real things - his touch, losing duels etc. he wasn't particularly good vs Arsenal but he did well here. His job in this scenario is to either make a run so that he can receive the ball in a position to shoot or make space for Garnacho/Bruno. Why do you think he wants to go behind the far CB? Like, come on, this isn't even about playing football it's just using your noggin. He either bursts to come near post and Garnacho has the option to slip him in near post, or he does what he does. Staying central helps no one, he's just in the way. He has to get the covering defender more towards the back stick and Bruno will obviously come inside for his right foot.

The more you watch the clip, the more his movement looks good to be honest. The initial reaction to Garnacho winning the ball is what every striker should do, he drives behind the nearest CB and forces him to cede all the space to Garnacho. Then he picks a post and commits to it. Explain what he's done wrong here?

 

[msjmohd83]

i think the coaches needs to switch his play style from the target man/ holding up play to different style of play because it's not working out. He has pace but it feels like he not using it more often

 

[TsuWave]

You guys are so odd, like you are watching a highlight but are so determined to criticise you don't actually watch it?

Criticise him for real things - his touch, losing duels etc. he wasn't particularly good vs Arsenal but he did well here. His job in this scenario is to either make a run so that he can receive the ball in a position to shoot or make space for Garnacho/Bruno. Why do you think he wants to go behind the far CB? Like, come on, this isn't even about playing football it's just using your noggin. He either bursts to come near post and Garnacho has the option to slip him in near post, or he does what he does. Staying central helps no one, he's just in the way. He has to get the covering defender more towards the back stick and Bruno will obviously come inside for his right foot.

The more you watch the clip, the more his movement looks good to be honest. The initial reaction to Garnacho winning the ball is what every striker should do, he drives behind the nearest CB and forces him to cede all the space to Garnacho. Then he picks a post and commits to it. Explain what he's done wrong here?

He didn't make the best run - and passive aggressive paragraphs won't change that, I'm afraid

From minute mark 0:09 - he should either cut in front of the second defender or try to run to the nearest post. He did neither and kept drifting to the furthest post/behind second defender, which makes him harder to find for the man with the ball/easier to defend against. His initial movement was correct, but strikers often have to check their runs, he didn't

and before more passive aggressive paragraphs follow - I've actually defended Hojlund several times and I don't think being a striker at United is the easiest proposition because often our wide players are looking to find an opening to shoot - rather than find the striker - it just so happens that in this particular stance, he made himself harder to find

 

[sugar_kane]

You guys are so odd, like you are watching a highlight but are so determined to criticise you don't actually watch it?

Criticise him for real things - his touch, losing duels etc. he wasn't particularly good vs Arsenal but he did well here. His job in this scenario is to either make a run so that he can receive the ball in a position to shoot or make space for Garnacho/Bruno. Why do you think he wants to go behind the far CB? Like, come on, this isn't even about playing football it's just using your noggin. He either bursts to come near post and Garnacho has the option to slip him in near post, or he does what he does. Staying central helps no one, he's just in the way. He has to get the covering defender more towards the back stick and Bruno will obviously come inside for his right foot.

The more you watch the clip, the more his movement looks good to be honest. The initial reaction to Garnacho winning the ball is what every striker should do, he drives behind the nearest CB and forces him to cede all the space to Garnacho. Then he picks a post and commits to it. Explain what he's done wrong here?

Yeah it's a weird thing to criticise him for, we often see players getting praise for doing very similar ie, drawing markers away to open up space for another player.

That's not to say his positioning play generally doesn't need work, but this isn't the damning example it's being framed as.

 

[tomaldinho1]

He didn't make the best run - and passive aggressive paragraphs won't change that, I'm afraid

From minute mark 0:09 - he should either cut in front of the second defender or try to run to the nearest post. He did neither and kept drifting to the furthest post/behind second defender, which makes him harder to find for the man with the ball/easier to defend against. His initial movement was correct, but strikers often have to check their runs, he didn't

and before more passive aggressive paragraphs follow - I've actually defended Hojlund several times and I don't think being a striker at United is the easiest proposition because often our wide players are looking to find an opening to shoot - rather than find the striker - it just so happens that in this particular stance, he made himself harder to find

I'm not meaning to be rude but this is just a poor example and equally poor take. We scored from the play - the covering CB follows Ramsus and allows for Bruno to have a free shot and it is frustrating to see this because it's provably just incorrect.

0.09 if he comes in front of the CB he congests the area Bruno is running into, do you honestly think that is a good option?
Near post run would have the same risk (getting in the way) and also is just way too late. That would be an option though at least, but he's choosing one of two things he should do (go far/go near) and you're criticising him for it.

If a strikers only job was to be available for a pass, I would understand your point. But we both know its not, so what is the point you're making? Rasmus did something that worked and resulted in a goal but you think he messed up still?

 

[Nickosaur]

I'm still confident he'll be a success here.

 

[TsuWave]

I'm not meaning to be rude but this is just a poor example and equally poor take. We scored from the play - the covering CB follows Ramsus and allows for Bruno to have a free shot and it is frustrating to see this because it's provably just incorrect.

0.09 if he comes in front of the CB he congests the area Bruno is running into, do you honestly think that is a good option?
Near post run would have the same risk (getting in the way) and also is just way too late. That would be an option though at least, but he's choosing one of two things he should do (go far/go near) and you're criticising him for it.

If a strikers only job was to be available for a pass, I would understand your point. But we both know its not, so what is the point you're making? Rasmus did something that worked and resulted in a goal but you think he messed up still?

It's OK, no offence taken. I believe your take is poor. Hojlund didn't drift to the second post to make an opening for Bruno in the middle - I'd even argue that he wasn't aware Bruno was there (he actually shifts his body in the direction Bruno shot because he thought Bruno was further back). In fact, the second defender doesn't even follow him to the furthest post.

If he cuts to middle or nearest post - Bruno has the whole back post area available to him. Like, I don't even know what you're arguing here. You need to provide the man with the ball with as many viable options as possible.

You know, things can work/result in goals in football without being the best/most effective things/moves. And for the record - that was a cracking finish by Bruno, by the way. I think that often times people become overzealously defensive of players, and this feels like one such instance. I don't think Hojlund had the best movement in that move, "well, we scored anyway". OK???

 

[honirelandboy]

A year in the championship like Amad would do him the world of good. Is there a striker in the league that has worse control than him. If you cut off one of Lukakus legs he'd probably still have better control than Hojlund