Photo by Liselotte Sabroe / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Liselotte Sabroe / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund has yet to strengthen his reputation after leaving Manchester United a year ago. The Dane is still living in Erling Haaland’s shadow.
There was a lot of hope when Rasmus Hojlund signed for Manchester United in 2023. Arriving with limited experience from Atalanta, he was a young striker joining a team that was crying out for a proven goalscorer like Harry Kane.
Kane signed for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, and United settled for Sesko, only to find out that the Danish striker was not at that elite level that is required to lead the line for the biggest club in the Premier League. It was only a matter of time before the Reds would return to the striker market.
Hojlund’s nightmare at Old Trafford ended last summer when he returned to Italy to sign for Napoli. Judging by comments from members of the press across the continent, it’s still perceived that he is living in the shadow of Man City goal machine Erling Haaland.
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Rasmus Hojlund seen as Temu version of Erling Haaland by Norwegian press
There is no denying that Haaland’s goals at City made it even harder for Hojlund to settle at United. He was always going to be compared to the Norwegian striker, even though they are a million miles apart in terms of standards.
As much as I hate to say it, Haaland remains the best striker in the Premier League. There isn’t anyone who comes close, which doesn’t reflect well on United, who are trying to develop Benjamin Sesko as an elite striker. It would help if the Slovenian could fully recover from that shin injury that has been a huge hindrance.
However, this week it’s all about internationals. Hojlund will face Haaland as Norway host Denmark in the Nations League on Thursday night. It will be the first time the two players meet in a competitive game since Hojlund left United.
Denmark go into the game with multiple injury concerns. They will be without Andreas Christensen, Alexander Bah and Kasper Dolberg.
The Norwegian press is currently previewing the match, but some of the analysis on Hojlund has been pretty close to the bone. Jasper Mathisen told Snakk Sport that Hojlund is like the ‘Temu’ version of Haaland.
“But they have Rasmus Hojlund at the top, who they thought would be a kind of Temu version of Haaland,” Mathisen said, as quoted by TV2.
“He has the qualities to punish a Norwegian defence.”
That reads like a backhanded compliment for Hojlund, who I doubt would take too kindly to being described as a lite version of the real thing.
Hojlund has scored just two goals for Napoli in six matches this season, which is a sorry comparison to Haaland, boasting seven goals in seven games for City.
⚽️ Erling Haaland’s stats since joining Napoli
50 appearances
18 goals
8 assists
Norway manager slams unfair criticism of Rasmus Hojlund
Norway’s national team coach Stale Solbakken disagrees with comparing Hojlund to Haaland and hit back at the reference to Temu, which is an online store where you can buy cheap goods.
Solbakken told Danish outlet Bold: “In general, it is unfair to be compared to Erling Haaland. No matter who you are in the world.
“Rasmus is a physically strong striker with a good left foot and brings a presence in the box. Then maybe there is something with the goal nose and he does not score as many spectacular goals as Erling.
“Rasmus is a really good international striker, but it’s unfair to be compared to Erling. Rasmus went to Manchester United, and Erling Haaland went to Manchester City at about the same time, so there’s something there.”