Manchester United owner Sir Jimcliffe has voiced his dissatisfaction with Erik Ten Hag for letting go of a remarkable goal-scorer who departed Man united for free and has since surpassed even Hujlund in goal-scorig prowess, tallying 15 goals and assists in just seven games
Manchester United’s owner, Sir Jimcliffe, has expressed frustration with Erik Ten Hag for letting go of an exceptional goal-scorer who departed the club for free. This player has since outshone United’s new striker Rasmus Hojlund, accumulating an impressive 15 goals and assists in just seven games.
Erik ten Hag’s decision-making at Manchester United has been questionable, to say the least. Despite his confidence in claiming that winning two trophies compensates for the team’s poor league form, the reality tells a different story. The team’s performance remains inconsistent, and while the club’s structure seems better organized from the top down, giving Ten Hag another season after their FA Cup triumph hasn’t sparked the significant improvements many hoped for.
Manchester United did make some promising signings over the summer, notably Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, Yoro’s injury, which will keep him sidelined for months, raises the possibility that he may not get the chance to play under Ten Hag this season. The early results haven’t been encouraging either, as United have managed only three points from their first three matches. In contrast, Manchester City’s fortunes couldn’t be more different. Their city rivals are already charging ahead in the league, much like sprinting champion Noah Lyles, and seem poised to secure another Premier League title.
A large part of City’s success can be attributed to Pep Guardiola’s brilliance, but having a talent like Erling Haaland at his disposal certainly makes things easier. Haaland’s phenomenal record in English football speaks for itself, and there seems to be little left to say that hasn’t already been said. His blistering start to the current campaign, including two hat-tricks in the first three match weeks, has propelled him to seven goals already this season. His goal-scoring feats are nothing short of extraordinary, and he is well on his way to breaking numerous records, with Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal tally firmly in his sights.
Since joining Manchester City, Haaland has already claimed two Golden Boots and netted an astounding 97 goals in just 102 appearances across all competitions. Widely regarded as the best striker in the world, Haaland’s dominance is almost unstoppable. Manchester United attempted to replicate this success by bringing in their own Scandinavian forward, Rasmus Hojlund. However, Hojlund’s 16 goals in the 2023/24 season, while respectable, pale in comparison to the remarkable output of Haaland just across town.
Stopping Haaland seems like an impossible task. His immense physical presence and goal-scoring instincts mean that only an injury, like the one he suffered last season, is likely to slow him down. Unfortunately for United, they are unlikely to be the team to halt Haaland’s rampage this season. In fact, even Arsenal, Manchester City’s closest challengers, may find themselves struggling to keep pace with Guardiola’s side.
Manchester United could certainly benefit from having a prime Wayne Rooney or a fiery Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks to help combat Haaland’s dominance. Reflecting on the past, it was back in November 2022 when Ten Hag grew increasingly frustrated with the negativity surrounding the club, much of which stemmed from the presence of Ronaldo. Once a key figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory years, Ronaldo went on to achieve greatness at Real Madrid and Juventus before returning to Old Trafford for a final stint. However, his second spell in Manchester was marred by off-field tensions and his eventual departure was seen as a necessary move to restore harmony within the squad.
In hindsight, United might now wonder if letting Ronaldo go was the right call, especially as they search for a player who can reach Haaland’s level. The gap between Manchester’s two footballing giants seems wider than ever, with City continuing to soar while United struggles to find their footing under Ten Hag’s leadership.
