'I think it's clear' - What Ruben Amorim said about £72m Man United striker subject to loan-to-buy 'offer'
Man Utd have been linked with a series of No.9s but how close is Rasmus Hojlund to leaving Old Trafford?
The one thing that Ruben Amorim demanded above any sort of tactical buy in when he took over as Manchester United manager, it was that he wanted his players to have the right attitude.
Those who demanded to leave the club this summer clearly haven’t bought into the Red Devils boss’ philosophy whilst others who are often scapegoated for some of the struggles over the last year have. One of those being Rasmus Hojlund who continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford. With 14 goals in 62 Premier League games, Hojlund hasn’t been anywhere near the sort of value for money that his £70m transfer fee demanded, however, his attitude, effort and determination can never be faulted, despite the lack of return and frustration from the stands.
Rasmus Hojlund offered to Serie A club as Man Utd future remains unclear
United need a more clinical No.9 to lead the line but have strengthened the attack by adding Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. First though, it would appear that Hojlund, who has addressed transfer speculation this summer, needs to leave before another striker can be bought. The current favourite to replace him is Benjamin Sesko who prefers a move to United over one to Newcastle.
The Denmark international will be fully aware of the situation and yet continues to graft, although there has been an update from Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport in terms of where the 22-year old could be playing his football next season: “Rasmus Højlund also remains of interest. His agent recently offered him to Milan, although it’s Manchester United who would need to agree to a loan with an option to buy.”
United wouldn’t be difficult to deal with and a £40m valuation has already been reported, some £30m less than the £72m deal that was agreed with Atalanta. If Hojlund was more clinical, there is every chance that Amorim wouldn’t want him to leave.
What has Amorim said about Hojlund that could mean a second chance for the striker?
Speaking in February, via United’s official website, Amorim was asked what his view of Hojlund was and the Portuguese boss made it clear that the No.9’s goal return wasn’t purely down to the player himself:
“I think it’s clear: we as a team, we are not helping Rasmus. We don’t create a lot of chances. We have a lack of threat and you can feel it in the game. Sometimes, we are like in the final third but you don’t feel like we are a very dangerous team. You feel it also when we are defending a little bit more low. Sometimes the opponents are not afraid of transitions, so I have this feeling also as a coach, that we are not helping the strikers. I think Rasmus has a lot of potential. I think if we improve the way we play the game, he will have more opportunities to score. I think he came here very young and, when you are very young, to be the no.9 and to play all the time, sometimes it’s hard.
“It’s everything together, it’s the context. We have to look at Rasmus as a player. He has the pace, he has the technique. He’s scored some goals that are really hard to score. Sometimes, he doesn’t choose the better run, sometimes he’s so anxious to touch the ball because he passes long minutes without the ball and he moves away from the goal, where you’re supposed to be, especially in the final third. So we address that in training but sometimes it has to be the confidence of the player, but especially the way we play.”
Hojlund is still young in terms of centre-forwards and with more support and creative quality behind him, United might see a more productive season in front of goal. Whether or not he is still at the club when the competitive action kicks off, is another matter.