Manchester United have signed Atalanta ahead Rasmus Højlund for an preliminary charge of €75 million ($82m), with one other €10m in add-ons.
The 20-year-old has been likened in fashion to Manchester Metropolis goal-machine Erling Haaland, however is the Denmark worldwide something like his new membership rival? And the way has he risen to consideration so rapidly?
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The place has he come from?
Having come by means of the FC Copenhagen academy, Højlund made his first-team debut on the age of 17 in October 2020. Regardless of constructing a status as a high-scoring ahead for the U19s and impressing with the Denmark youth sides, {the teenager} struggled to make an prompt impression at first-team degree.
Throughout two seasons, Højlund began simply two league video games for Copenhagen and from a complete of 19 appearances he netted no objectives — although he did discover the online 5 instances within the Europa Convention League.
He moved to Austrian aspect Sturm Graz for a modest charge of €1.95m in January 2022, however they wasted no time in introducing him into the primary group. Certainly, Højlund wanted simply 38 minutes to get on the scoresheet for his new membership after which added a second in his Austrian Bundesliga debut, a 2-2 draw at WSG Tirol.
Flourishing as one among two strikers in entrance of a midfield diamond, the Dane adopted up with objectives in his subsequent two matches and ended up with six from 13 video games in his first half season. A mere 5 months into his Sturm Graz profession an array of larger golf equipment from Europe have been alerted to his speedy rise and, after an equally spectacular begin to the brand new marketing campaign the place he scored three objectives in 5 video games, Atalanta moved swiftly to carry him to Bergamo for €17.2m — contextually a pretty big windfall for the Austrians given Kelvin Yeboah’s €6.5m transfer to Genoa six months beforehand was the earlier departure document.
Whereas Højlund took a while to regulate to the extra aggressive Serie A setting, he introduced himself correctly on the flip of the yr. He scored in 4 consecutive video games in January and obtained rave critiques after a hat trick for Denmark — in solely his third senior cap — in opposition to Finland in March.
Given his skyrocketing progress, his bodily dominance, and the spectacular nature of some his objectives, it turned evident that Atalanta would battle to maintain him past the summer season because the likes of Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United confirmed curiosity. And United finally gained the race.
Place
Centre-forward. Predominantly lined up as one among two central attackers at Atalanta (he established a great understanding with former Everton star Ademola Lookman) or as a lone centre-forward in a 3-4-3 formation, Højlund has additionally efficiently spearheaded Denmark’s 4-3-3 system. He operates properly with a supporting striker, simply as he hyperlinks in properly in entrance of a No. 10 and with the attack-minded full-backs.
Regardless of his age, he is not restricted to any specific tactical mannequin, however as a lot as he is good at timing his runs centrally with out the ball, he tends to look to tackle defenders within the area between the left-back and the centre-back, with the intention of setting himself as much as hit a left-footed shot.
Strengths
The persistent comparisons to Haaland do reveal a fairly related skillset, bodily and tactical profile. Although missing an inch on Haaland’s 6-foot-4 body, Højlund shares the Norwegian’s imposing physique, large acceleration and long-distance tempo. In truth, Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini famously claimed Højlund can run the 100-meter sprint in less than 11 seconds.
Additionally left-footed, he carries the ball properly at pace and, a lot in the identical vein because the Manchester Metropolis star, he notably thrives within the transitional part of the sport. Catching the opposing aspect off steadiness — with the defenders backing-off — the brand new Manchester United man is ready to pace previous defenders with the ball at his ft, often creating added confusion by selecting the lane between the centre-backs and lowering the chance of being compelled into huge areas. Together with the sprinter-like tempo, he additionally brings numerous vitality and enthusiasm to the pitch, typically animated and conscious of a fired-up crowd.
Evaluating Højlund’s goal-scoring numbers (10 in 34 for Atalanta) to these of Haaland — who’s frankly an abnormality with 52 objectives in 53 video games throughout his first season for Metropolis — is senseless, but the Dane is a finisher in growth. He reads the move of the assault properly, pulls or spins away from his markers intelligently to search out area and angles for cut-backs or tap-ins, and is comfortable to take adjustive touches at any time when required as a substitute of going for a first-time end.
It is also value mentioning that his yr in Italy served him properly. Beneath the steering of Gasperini his tactical self-discipline sharpened, he turned extra assured in utilizing his weaker proper foot and his urgent recreation improved too.
Weaknesses
At 20, there are inevitably sides of his recreation which can be due some refinement. In his link-up play he takes full benefit of his energy and steadiness to carry off defenders, however it may possibly nonetheless be on the sloppy aspect, although that and his aerial recreation have seen enchancment over the previous yr.
As backed up by his numbers, Højlund can be a objective scorer on the ascent. His ending, nonetheless, will be considerably inconsistent. At instances he can fail to choose the best spots and is caught in two minds with the ball ending up straight on the goalkeeper, though he tends to do rather a lot proper in his positioning.
Tactically, it will be attention-grabbing to find whether or not Man United boss Erik ten Hag will look to mould Højlund extra into an all-round centre-forward or finetune the poacher side of his recreation, therefore proscribing his participation within the build-up part and never permitting him to drop deep.
The place he suits in
No matter his substantial switch charge it ought to be emphasised that United have signed Højlund for his undisputed potential and the promise of issues to come back fairly than the completed article.
Whereas there are similarities to Haaland each stylistically and bodily, it might be naïve to anticipate Højlund to repeat the Manchester Metropolis No. 9’s freakish quick affect (the latter’s psychological energy and unwavering self-confidence are hardly ever talked about and onerous to quantify, however go a way in the direction of explaining his success.)
Not solely was the Norwegian a year-and-a-half older when he signed for the Metropolis, however he’d additionally damaged out and sharped his recreation at a youthful age at golf equipment like FC Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. But, there isn’t any doubt that Højlund’s technical profile and steady progress over the previous yr make for an intriguing prospect.
Manchester United’s lack of centre-forward choices — with Marcus Rashford most certainly to function on the left of assault — may properly see Højlund being thrown in on the deep finish, it won’t faze him. Giving him time is vital and there are few coaches extra keen and competent at guiding abilities from the standing of a “challenge” to a completely fledged first-team common than Ten Hag.
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