Why Man Utd waited for Rasmus Hojlund instead of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen or Randal Kolo Muani

Rasmus Hojlund, the young Danish center-forward for Manchester United, is expected to have an emotional evening as he faces his former club, Copenhagen, in their first home game since the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton. United has had a difficult start to their Champions League campaign with two consecutive defeats, making this a crucial game for them. Hojlund has been a standout performer for United, scoring three goals in their previous matches. United manager, Erik ten Hag, believes that Hojlund’s motivation and performance will be instrumental in paying tribute to Charlton and kick-starting their European campaign.

Hojlund’s goals against Galatasaray showcased his talent and potential as a striker. His second goal, in particular, demonstrated his speed, power, and composure, leading to comparisons with Stan Collymore. United’s decision to invest heavily in Hojlund, despite interest in other strikers like Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, reflects their confidence in his abilities. The negotiations for Hojlund’s transfer from Atalanta were lengthy and challenging, but United ultimately secured the deal.

United had been monitoring Hojlund’s progress since he was a teenager at Copenhagen and continued to track him during his time at Sturm Graz in Austria. They decided to observe his development in a more competitive league before making a move. Hojlund’s notable progress under Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini in Serie A caught United’s attention, making him their top choice for the striker position. Other options like Muani and Watkins were considered, but United believed that Hojlund had greater potential. Paris Saint-Germain eventually signed Muani for a higher fee than United paid for Hojlund.

United’s pursuit of other strikers, including Ferguson from Brighton, Osimhen from Napoli, and Kane from Tottenham, was unsuccessful due to various factors such as price tags and availability. Despite missing the preseason and the early part of the season due to injury, Hojlund has already made an impact for United, and Ten Hag believes that his influence will only grow as the team becomes stronger and he becomes more familiar with their style of play.

In the upcoming match against Copenhagen, Ten Hag hopes that Hojlund will shine and contribute to a special night in memory of Charlton. He emphasizes the importance of channeling the spirit and high standards set by Charlton and delivering a performance that reflects his legacy. Winning the game would be a fitting tribute to one of football’s legends.

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.