Manchester United added another “L” to their Premier League campaign, this time away at Chelsea, with Rasmus Hojlund producing a nightmare display.
In a game of few chances, Rasmus Hojlund managed to stand out in the worst possible way by fumbling and tumbling his way through 90 minutes.
Hojlund caught Bruno Fernandes’ ire during the game as well as it seemed like he was reaching a new low with every touch of the ball.
While that in itself is a concern, the bigger picture is that Hojlund’s performance puts Man Utd’s £30 million deal in trouble for the upcoming summer.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund puts Liam Delap’s Man Utd transfer in trouble
Ruben Amorim didn’t need this Hojlund display to convince himself that he needed a new striker in the summer.
It is fair to say he would have reached this decision long before this performance because it’s nothing new for the Danish striker.
Once Joshua Zirkzee was injured, there was no hiding for a player already under immense pressure and looking incapable of dealing with it.
That was an asterisk next to his name when United bought him as a young, inexperienced prospect with potential but extremely raw.
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Talking of young and exciting players with potential but are raw right now, the focus shifts to Man Utd’s striker target in the coming transfer window – Liam Delap.
Delap’s links to United have gained pace and it looks like he will be United’s third summer signing after Enzo Kana-Biyik and Matheus Cunha.
After watching Hojlund struggle his way through two seasons at Old Trafford, however, is another young and inexperienced player really the answer at a position that single-handedly decides games at times?
Man Utd’s striker search
In an ideal world, Delap would be the young backup to another senior striker at the club (deja vu for Hojlund yet?).
However, with United’s finances, it seems clear that Delap’s release clause is an opportunity that United simply can’t afford to miss out on in the summer.
Still, it goes without saying that a striker lineup of Delap-Hojlund-Zirkzee is not striking fear into the hearts of any Premier League defence, and that’s a problem.
Delap might break out and suddenly become a 20 goals/season striker, but that was the hope with Hojlund as well and the truth is that simply doesn’t happen.
Splashing the cash on someone like Victor Osimhen will be worth it if only to finally fill the striker spot that hasn’t been reliably filled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
No more gambles for this position.