30 Jul 2023 12:01:22
I'm seeing lots of comments about Hojlund's fee, potential and expected goal tally this season.

What some need to understand is that, at 6'3" with pace and power, this guy will already represent a legit challenge for defenders.
He presses well and can bulldoze his way through a physical defender.
This means that he will be a focal point not only for teammates, but also for the strongest and/ or quickest opposing CB.

This means that your Rashfords and Antonys have more freedom to do damage because the onus is being paid to a natural No9 with all that he brings.

Of course he probably won't get 25+ in his first season, but he'll get more than Wout, he'll get more than Martial, he'll work more and complement the ten Hag system far better than Ronaldo.

He's not Haaland, nor will he ever be - he's Hojlund, let's just see what he becomes.
There's an argument that Haaland might not improve any further. He turned into this machine very quickly and has eaten the game since the age of 19.
At 23, I do believe he could already be peaking. The only thing left for him to develop is his team game.
Hojlund is already a better team player and that's what will work best in the ten Hag system - hence the Kane interest.

I'm happier that the club have agreed on £72m for Hojlund rather than spending double that on a player like Osimhen who, at 24, has had just the one great season.

3 excellent signings so far.

1.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 12:37:40
I really like the Højlund signing. He isn't a RvP type signing expected to come in and lift the team to title challengers on his own. But he will work well with the players we have, playing the system/ tactics that EtH wants.

He is also a player who can grow and develop with this group of players and won't need replacing in a couple of years time.

I don't think a the sale of the club will happen before the close of the window. However, it may well be sorted before the January window. At which point new owners might want to make a few signings then to try and help the team kick on in the second half of the season. Maybe Kane if he's still at Spurs with 6 months left on his deal, or maybe a savvy move for Ivan Toney who will almost certainly be looking to make up for lost time after his ban.

2.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 13:01:31
Good signing, could be part of an exciting front four of Garnacho, Greenwood, Rashford and Hojlund for the next five years.

3.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 14:39:50
Interested to hear Ed001 and Ed002's opinion on Hojlund as a player. I think he is a good player and given time he can adapt to PL football. Is he worth the amount of money Man Utd invested in him tho?

{Ed002's Note - He is a good player who has potential - but it is a great deal of money without confidence in a significant reurn in goals.}

4.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 14:47:06
Hojlund will be compared to Haaland he’s a CF, he’s Nordic and a big lad.

The differences in his game will be completely ignored.

Better get a thick skin.

Haaland as you say could plateau. Plenty of players have peaked earlier in their careers. Owen and Fowler spring to mind. Maybe Rooney. IMO he should go to La Liga asap to protect his body al a Ronaldo.

Hojlund on the other hand is in his ascendancy, who knows where it will go?
He offers a lot but I still think MG is better and has the higher potential.

5.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 16:00:37
He should go to La Liga and take Pep and Texi with him.

And Dias, KDB, Silva, Alvarez, Ederson, Rodri and Stones as well.

6.) 30 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 19:30:27
People criticising Haaland!? I’d take his plateau all day long, he’s an absolute beast. There’s bound to be comparisons given what’s already been said, but let Rasmus do his thing, and let Haaland do his. But don’t throw criticism at Haaland, he’s just won Citeh the treble!

7.) 31 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 23:32:50
Oarkbark that was my intent there. Glad you got me!

8.) 31 Jul 2023
30 Jul 2023 23:35:33
Fireman absolutely, just saying Fowler and Owen pre injury where unplayable in a similar way and age bracket to Haaland.

9.) 31 Jul 2023
31 Jul 2023 06:00:30
Ronaldo (Original) is the best unplayable player I have ever seen.

10.) 31 Jul 2023
31 Jul 2023 11:50:43
He can't escape journos and pundits comparing him, he is Scandanavian, tall fast blond and his name is pronounced similarly. Its pretty much at the limit of insight for many of them.

I can tell you now though that Souness will hate him and think he's a big soft jessy, that would not have last 5 minutes in his day and was a waste of money and he already thinks that even though he hasn't seen him play yet.