He’s the only Manchester 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 Manchester United player that He have ordered His players to pin Mark today.
Fulham’s coach has recently expressed significant concerns about facing Manchester United’s young striker, Rasmus Højlund, labeling him as the only player in the squad who truly causes fear. Reflecting on last season’s matches against Højlund, the coach is worried about the possibility of this powerful player being fit for their upcoming clash. He has even instructed his team to mark Højlund closely, emphasizing the serious threat he poses on the pitch.
This viewpoint is shared by Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who has been vocal about his thoughts on Højlund. Scholes has analyzed the Danish striker’s performance and potential, offering his views on how Højlund might perform under the guidance of Erik ten Hag.
Højlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023, moving from Serie A’s Atalanta for a hefty sum of £72 million. At just 21, Højlund’s first season with United was mixed. He scored 16 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, making a notable impact in the Champions League with five goals in six matches. However, his performance in the Premier League was less stellar, as he didn’t score in his first 14 league games of the 2023-24 season. Despite these early struggles, manager Erik ten Hag’s faith in Højlund remained strong, and the striker gradually found his form, scoring 10 goals in 30 Premier League matches by the season’s end, although an injury disrupted his progress.
During an episode of The Overlap, a football discussion show featuring Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher, Højlund’s potential to score 20 goals in the upcoming season for Manchester United was discussed. Scholes, while acknowledging the challenges Højlund faced in his debut season, expressed confidence in the striker’s ability to achieve this milestone. He noted that although Højlund had a tough start, he has the talent to lead United’s attack. However, Scholes also pointed out that reaching this goal would be challenging for any young player, especially at a club with such high expectations.
Scholes emphasized that while Højlund went through periods with limited scoring chances, his calmness and finishing abilities were clear in the Champions League. Although he struggled to maintain that level in the Premier League, Scholes believes that with more experience, Højlund will become stronger and more effective.
The conversation also explored the potential impact of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna and might compete with Højlund for a spot in the Manchester United lineup. Despite this, Scholes remains optimistic about Højlund’s future, especially with the support of creative players like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, who could help Højlund maximize his chances.
Scholes has managed expectations, previously stating that he would be “amazed” if Højlund scored 25 goals in a season. Nonetheless, he is confident that Højlund will continue to grow, particularly in terms of physical strength and stamina. Scholes noticed that Højlund often seemed 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 at crucial moments in games.
In conclusion, Scholes believes that if Højlund can remain composed and consistent in front of goal, especially in the Premier League, he has the potential to significantly improve his goal-scoring record. The upcoming season will be crucial for Højlund as he continues to adapt to the challenges of English football and aims to meet the high expectations set for him.
