Fulham’s coach has recently expressed serious concerns about facing Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United’s young forward, labeling him as the only player on the opposing team who truly poses a significant threat. Reflecting on last season’s matches against Højlund, the coach worried about the possibility of this formidable player being available for their next encounter and even instructed his team to apply close marking on him, highlighting the substantial danger he represents.
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes shares this view, having openly discussed his opinions on Højlund. Scholes has analyzed the Danish striker’s performance and potential, offering insights into how Højlund might perform under Erik ten Hag’s management.
Højlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta in Serie A for a considerable £72 million fee. At 21, Højlund’s season was a mix of successes and challenges. He scored 16 goals in 43 games across all competitions, with a notable contribution of five goals in six Champions League matches. However, his Premier League performance was less impressive, with no goals in his first 14 league appearances of the 2023-24 season. Despite these initial struggles, manager Erik ten Hag’s unwavering support helped Højlund gradually improve, eventually scoring 10 goals in 30 Premier League games before an injury cut his season short.
On The Overlap, a football discussion show with Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher, the potential for Højlund to score 20 goals in the upcoming season for Manchester United was debated. Scholes, while acknowledging the challenges Højlund faced during his debut season, remains optimistic about the striker’s ability to reach this target. He noted that, despite a rough start, Højlund has the skill to lead United’s attack, though he acknowledged that reaching this milestone would be a significant challenge, particularly for a young player at a club with high expectations.
Scholes pointed out that although Højlund faced periods with few scoring chances, his poise and finishing ability were evident in the Champions League. While he struggled to maintain that form in the Premier League, Scholes is confident that with an additional year of experience, Højlund will become stronger and more effective.
The conversation also included a discussion on Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna and might challenge Højlund for a spot in the Manchester United lineup. Despite this, Scholes remains hopeful about Højlund’s future, especially with the support of creative teammates like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, who could provide him with valuable chances to score.
Scholes has moderated expectations, previously stating he would be “amazed” if Højlund scored 25 goals in a season. Nonetheless, he believes Højlund will continue to grow, particularly in physical strength and stamina. Scholes noted that Højlund often appeared tired after 65-70 minutes, which is understandable given the demands of leading United’s attack. With time, the young forward is expected to better manage his energy and perform effectively during critical moments of the game.
In summary, Scholes is confident that if Højlund can maintain his composure and consistency in front of goal, especially in the Premier League, he has the potential to significantly increase his goal tally. The upcoming season will be crucial for Højlund as he adjusts to the challenges of English football and aims to meet the high expectations set for him.
