24 October 2023 , 11:20
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted summer signing Rasmus Hojlund could soon be deployed in an attack that also contains Anthony Martial.
Ever since Hojlund arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £72million from Atalanta in the summer, he has been the preferred candidate to lead the line when fit. In stark contrast, Martial is yet to complete a full 90 minutes in the league for United so far this season, with his longest outing coming in the form of his 67 minute appearance during the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal back in September.
It therefore comes as little surprise to learn that the Frenchman has just one goal to his name so far this season - a Carabao Cup strike at home against Crystal Palace. Hojlund, however, has three - all of which have come in the Champions League.
Neither have bagged a Premier League goal so far, but that could soon change after Ten Hag revealed that the pair could start in attack together, with Martial on the left and Hojlund through the centre. "They can play together because Anthony Martial is also available to play from the side," said the United boss.
The comments will certainly excite United co-owner Joel Glazer, whose admiration of Martial is well-documented. United fans will remember when the American businessman stepped in to block then-manager Jose Mourinho from selling the forward to Barcelona in exchange for Ivan Rakitic.
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Glazer has even reportedly compared Martial to Brazilian icon Pele before and clearly holds him in incredibly high regard. Signed as the most expensive teenager of all-time in 2015, the general consensus is that Martial has fallen spectacularly short of the lofty expectations placed on his shoulders.
Ten Hag also discussed Hojlund's form and explained how he remains confident the 20-year-old will start finding the net at a regular rate. "First of all, we have to work our routines, he misses pre-season, the first four games, but I think from the moment he came in, he gave the team a lot," the Red Devils manager told reporters.
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Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial could line up in attack together soon according to Erik ten Hag (Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)"We're building the routines and that will give him more time and to make better decisions for more goals, but the goals against Galatasaray were two brilliant goals. As well, also the one in Munich. I think he's a player who will always be in scoring positions in our team. I'm sure, I'm confident [he'll score goals] and Marcus Rashford the same."
United's next clash comes in the Champions League against one of Hojlund's former sides in F.C. Copenhagen. The Denmark international scored just five goals during his time there, but his brothers Emil and Oscar remain at the club and could star at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.