Manchester United have underperformed to an alarming degree. On paper, this team should be challenging for the title. With an encouraging third-place finish last season, the goalkeeper issue was addressed with additional signings to give Erik Ten Hag players capable of playing in a more possession-based style of football. The most expensive of these additions was 20-year-old Rasmus Højlund. The Danish forward has so far failed to make a lasting impression.
Højlund’s two goals in 12 appearances may look like a forward who is not performing to the level expected at a club of Manchester United’s stature, but is he entirely to blame, or do other factors limit his effectiveness in this side?
Embed from Getty ImagesOn a pure goalscoring level, Højlund has underperformed in front of goal. The forward is underperforming his expected goals by 1.2. Out of context, this paints a picture of a young player not finishing his chances, one that is pretty common among players under 21.
Rasmus Højlund’s issue at United is his lack of shots and involvement. He ranks seventh in shots and bottom for touches, passes attempted and progressive passes received. Højlund’s struggles have been amplified by a team, failing to give him a high volume of opportunities, a necessity for any striker at a club of United’s level.
Højlund is starting for a team which do not use their number 9 to score goals. Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnarcho all want to cut inside and shoot at a high volume. Their minds rarely consider crossing as their first choice.
Trying to fit Højlund into that tussle for touches is difficult. Nevertheless, the forward is seemingly getting frustrated with the lack of service (his reaction to Garnarcho not playing the ball to him in United’s 4-2 win over Newport was the most visible reaction given to his teammates’ decision-making).
Embed from Getty ImagesHøjlund’s lack of involvement differs from previous forwards who have played under Ten Hag. While Dusan Tadic playing as a false-nine jumps out as Ten Hag’s most notable striker, he generally preferred a typical goal scorer leading the line.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Kasper Dolberg and Sebastian Haller all played as more traditional poachers, all reaching double figures in goals under Ten Hag. It makes Højlund’s low output an anomaly.
Embed from Getty ImagesRasmus Højlund is a good player, possessing strong physical traits for his age. His desire is to get involved, not only in build-up play but press effectively and create space for his teammates.
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Unfortunately for the former Atalanta striker, this team is not giving him the necessary opportunities. Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is uncertain, with INEOS controlling the football matters and United being far behind their competition.
Ten Hag is attempting to play to United’s strengths, which is defensible when Garnarcho has taken an enormous leap, and Marcus Rashford had his most productive campaign the previous year. But for Højlund, this is not a suitable environment for his development. So far, the Dane is another in a long list of United signings brought in without a plan.
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