Erik ten Hag sends Erling Haaland warning ahead of Rasmus Hojlund's Man Utd bow
Erik ten Hag insists it’s wrong to compare Manchester United’s new £72 million striker Rasmus Hojlund to Premier League goal machine Erling Haaland.
Hojlund is in line to make his United debut at Arsenal after shaking off the back problem that has sidelined him since his arrival from Atalanta. And United fans are excited about the powerful blond Danish striker having the same explosive Scandinavian impact that 52-goal Haaland had for rivals Manchester City last season.
But Ten Hag feels the 20-year-old will need time to show his best form - and although he revealed Hojlund’s positive attitude has already brought fresh energy to his squad, the Dutchman felt comparisons to Haaland are premature.
“I think Rasmus is a different character in our squad - and that makes it really exciting,” said the United boss. “The balance in my squad is very good and already we noticed this week when he came in that a different spirit is coming up.
“He gives that energy and also the players get energy from it. It is very good. But give him time to settle in. No player can act from the start.
“Of course, we expect a lot from Hojlund but he needs time to settle into the team and the way we play. The rest will come - I'm very confident of that. He is brave and that's enough. He has belief and the rest will come.
“We scouted about the skill and personality. Yes, everywhere he has been so far - Austria and Italy - he's made a big impact. You need time and it will come - I am convinced of that.”
United have struggled to hit the heights this season despite two wins from their opening three games. Hojlund’s emergence from the treatment room has given Ten Hag’s squad a much-needed boost ahead of a clash with one of the title favourites.
Rasmus Hojlund is primed for his Man Utd debut against Arsenal (Getty Images)The Dutchman is in no doubt that the young Dane has got the temperament to cope with the pressure of playing for the Reds. Ten Hag added: “So far he’s only been here a short time and he's not even played any games and is now in the training sessions.
“But he confirms the impression of when we scouted him - and we really intensely scouted him. He's acting very good this week. A very good spirit. He's very motivated to start in the team. He can't wait and I think we did the right thing.
“Of course, I would have appreciated it if we had him from the first game. That wasn't the case but now he is fit. We are happy he will definitely strengthen the squad and he will make a good impact on the team.”
Ten Hag is sticking by his pre-season prediction that champions City are favourites to make history by winning a fourth successive title despite the business United have done in the transfer market.
He said: “I say the same. All the teams around us strengthened their squads with very good players across all those teams, but due to City winning four of the last five titles and the Treble, they are the only team who can really target it.
“The other teams have to work for it. As Manchester United we have to win all our games - and that will be the approach and we will see what we can fight for.
“We have to get into a position from where we can win trophies - and at this moment don’t talk about trophies. This is the moment to talk about winning games and go from game-to-game.”
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
