Hojlund's first impressions bode well for Man Utd after "dangerous" comparison

19 August 2023 , 06:42

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Rasmus Hojlund is tipped for big things (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

The man who signed Rasmus Hojlund for Sturm Graz immediately knew he wouldn't be at the Austrian side for long after seeing his talent.

Andreas Schicker spotted the forward when he was at Copenhagen and bought him to Graz, but knew his time at the club would be short-lived with his quality destined to take him much higher. Atalanta came knocking and the Austrian club received a transfer fee ten times what they paid only seven months earlier.

Hojlund continued to produce in Serie A, scoring ten times as he remained a regular for the Italian outfit, who challenged for a spot in the Champions League. His exploits grabbed the attention of several European heavyweights and Manchester United pushed for his signing for much of the summer.

The Premier League side haggled with Atalanta before eventually landing Hojlund in a £72m deal with the young Dane idolising Manchester City's Erling Haaland, but dreaming of playing for the Red Devils.

Schicker told Sport1 : “After the first training sessions and games, I already knew that he wouldn’t be with us for that long. In his first interview for an Austrian newspaper, Rasmus said that Haaland was his role model. That was of course the story for us. The comparison with Haaland was dangerous.

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"But everyone at the club believed in Rasmus. Hojlund is very similar to Haaland, especially in terms of speed and robustness. Haaland is of course a bit older and has more experience, but I have a lot of confidence in Rasmus, and I am convinced that he will prevail at Manchester United.

“His father once told me: 'Manchester United is his dream'. That’s how the boy works, he sets his mind to something and then he achieves it.”

Hojlund, despite his tender age and lack of experience, is expected to have a major impact on the United frontline. Erik ten Hag had been keen to add a new No 9 this summer as he sought more firepower with the club largely reliant on Marcus Rashford's goals last term.

The new summer signing is yet to make his United bow having arrived with an injury issue but the club claim it would only keep him out for a "few weeks". Ten Hah is confident that Hojlund, young he may be, has the character and personality to succeed in Manchester having snubbed more proven alternatives.

Samuel Meade