He’s the only Man United player that I’m afraid of currently,I know what I saw when I faced Him last season,I pray He won’t be available today”, Fulham coach reveals the only Man United player that He have ordered His players to pin Mark today
Fulham’s coach has recently shared his apprehension about facing a specific Manchester United player, admitting that this individual is the only one in the squad he truly fears. Reflecting on his team’s encounter with this player last season, he expressed concern and prayed that this formidable opponent wouldn’t be available for their upcoming match. The coach has even gone so far as to instruct his team to tightly mark this player, emphasizing the significant threat he poses on the field.
This sentiment echoes the views of former Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, who has been vocal about his thoughts on Rasmus Højlund. After evaluating the young striker’s potential, Scholes offered his predictions for Højlund’s future under the management of Erik ten Hag.
Rasmus Højlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023, arriving from Serie A’s Atalanta for a considerable fee of £72 million. The Danish striker, just 21 years old, had a debut season filled with ups and downs, managing to find the net 16 times in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils. Notably, Højlund made a strong impression during the Champions League, scoring five goals in six matches. However, his performance in the Premier League lagged behind, as he went scoreless in his first 14 league appearances during the 2023-24 season.
Despite these early struggles, Højlund received unwavering support from manager Erik ten Hag, which seemed to pay off during the latter half of the season. The young forward found his rhythm, netting 10 goals in 30 Premier League matches, with 25 of those being starts. Unfortunately, his momentum was cut short due to an injury that sidelined him towards the season’s end.
During an episode of The Overlap, a football discussion show featuring Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher, the question was raised whether Højlund could score 20 goals in the upcoming season for Manchester United. Scholes, while acknowledging the challenges Højlund faced in his first season, expressed confidence in the striker’s ability to hit this milestone. He noted that despite the tough start, Højlund has the talent to lead United’s attacking line, though it remains a daunting task for any young player, especially at a club with such high expectations.
Scholes pointed out that while Højlund had some concerning spells during the season—where opportunities to score seemed scarce—his composure and finishing abilities shone through in the Champions League. Although the striker struggled to replicate that success in the Premier League, Scholes believes that with another year of experience under his belt, Højlund will emerge stronger and more effective.
The discussion also touched on the arrival of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, who could provide competition for Højlund in the Manchester United lineup. Despite this, Scholes remained optimistic about Højlund’s future, especially considering the creativity surrounding him in the team. He highlighted key players like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes as sources of opportunities for Højlund to capitalize on.
Scholes has tempered expectations for Højlund, previously stating that he would be “amazed” if the striker managed to score 25 goals in a season. However, he is confident that Højlund will continue to develop, particularly in terms of physical strength and match endurance. Scholes observed that Højlund often looked fatigued after 65-70 minutes, which is understandable given the demands of leading the line for Manchester United. But with time, the young forward will likely learn to conserve his energy for the most crucial moments of the game.
In conclusion, Scholes believes that if Højlund can maintain his composure in front of goal, particularly in the Premier League, he has the potential to significantly increase his goal tally. The upcoming season will be a critical period for Højlund as he continues to adapt to the rigors of English football and strives to fulfill the high expectations placed upon him.