Fulham’s coach has recently voiced significant apprehension about facing Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United’s young striker, describing him as the sole player in the squad who genuinely instills fear. Reflecting on the previous season’s encounters with Højlund, the coach expressed concern about the possibility of this formidable player being available for their upcoming match. He even went as far as to instruct his team to apply tight marking on Højlund, underscoring the considerable threat he represents on the field.
This sentiment is echoed by former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who has been outspoken about his views on Højlund. Scholes has scrutinized the young Danish striker’s performance and potential, offering his predictions on how Højlund might fare under the management of Erik ten Hag.
Højlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023, transferring from Serie A’s Atalanta for a substantial fee of £72 million. At just 21 years old, Højlund had a season that was a mixture of highs and lows. He scored 16 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils. His impact was particularly notable in the Champions League, where he netted five goals in six matches. However, his performance in the Premier League was less impressive, as he failed to score in his first 14 league appearances of the 2023-24 season. Despite these early difficulties, manager Erik ten Hag’s support never wavered, which seemed to pay off as Højlund gradually found his form. By the latter part of the season, he scored 10 goals in 30 Premier League matches, although an injury towards the end of the season interrupted his progress.
During an episode of The Overlap, a football discussion show featuring Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher, the topic of Højlund’s potential to score 20 goals in the upcoming season for Manchester United was debated. Scholes, while acknowledging the difficulties Højlund faced in his debut season, expressed optimism about the striker’s ability to reach this milestone. He noted that despite a challenging start, Højlund possesses the talent to lead United’s attack. However, Scholes also recognized that achieving this goal would be a daunting task for any young player, especially at a club with such high expectations.
Scholes highlighted that while Højlund experienced some periods where scoring opportunities were scarce, his composure and finishing skills were evident in the Champions League. Although he struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League, Scholes believes that with an additional year of experience, Højlund will emerge more robust and effective.
The discussion also touched on the potential impact of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna and could provide competition for Højlund in the Manchester United lineup. Despite this, Scholes remains hopeful about Højlund’s future, particularly with the support of creative teammates like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. These players could offer Højlund valuable opportunities to capitalize on.
Scholes has tempered expectations, previously stating that he would be “amazed” if Højlund managed to score 25 goals in a season. Nonetheless, he is confident that Højlund will continue to develop, especially in terms of physical strength and endurance. Scholes observed that Højlund often appeared fatigued after 65-70 minutes, which is understandable given the demands of leading Manchester United’s attack. With time, the young forward is expected to learn how to better manage his energy and perform effectively during critical moments of the game.
In summary, Scholes believes that if Højlund can maintain his composure and consistency in front of goal, particularly in the Premier League, he has the potential to significantly enhance his goal tally. The upcoming season will be a crucial period for Højlund as he continues to adapt to the rigors of English football and strives to meet the high expectations set before him.