Rasmus Hojlund blasted as United eye fresh No.9

Rasmus Hojlund was handed the keys to Manchester United’s attack last summer, but his debut Premier League season has ended in a hail of criticism from Old Trafford icon Paul Parker, who branded the Danish forward a “Primark striker” and claimed “a blind man would have done better”. With the club already weighing up alternatives, Parker’s scathing verdict has reignited debate over how – and how quickly – United can fix their goal-shy frontline.

Parker’s furious take on Rasmus Hojlund

Speaking on talkSPORT, the two-time title-winning right-back pulled no punches. “I watch Rasmus Hojlund every week and you just don’t see a Premier League striker in him,” Parker said. “His movement’s predictable, his first touch is a tackle and his finishing belongs in the bargain bin.” Parker even quipped that the 21-year-old is “Primark to Erling Haaland’s Armani,” accusing United’s recruitment team of chasing potential instead of proven class.

What went wrong for the £72m man?

The raw numbers are painful. Hojlund recorded just six Premier League goals in 32 appearances, ranked 34th among top-flight forwards for shots on target, and posted an expected-goals underperformance of –4.2. He managed a single headed goal, a worrying return for a 6’3″ target man. Coaches inside Carrington privately admit that, while his work rate and pressing are elite, his composure and anticipation inside the box lag well behind established strikers of similar age, such as Julian Alvarez or Alexander Isak.

United’s systemic struggles magnified

Erik ten Hag’s injury-ravaged squad created 12% fewer big chances than last season, forcing Hojlund to feed on scraps. Yet Parker argues elite No.9s thrive despite tactical chaos. “Look at Harry Kane at Spurs last year,” he said. “He carried them. United need that kind of guarantee – not someone we hope becomes that in three seasons.”

Targeting a ‘workaholic’ Premier League finisher

Parker name-dropped Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as the prototype: industrious without the ball, ruthless when it matters. Watkins out-scored Hojlund four-to-one, pressed more per 90 minutes, and logged the division’s third-highest distance covered among forwards. Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee are also on the scouting list, but Watkins ticks the “Premier League proven” box the hierarchy craves.

Financial fair play and the striker search

Manchester United must balance a striker purchase with UEFA’s new squad-cost ratio. A sale of Mason Greenwood, interest in Jadon Sancho, and trimming fringe wages could hand director of football Dan Ashworth a £100 million summer kitty. Watkins would command £60-70m, but his double-digit goals, 10-assist output, and injury-resistant profile appeal to INEOS’s data team.

Possible solutions

• Short-term loan: Approaching Bayern for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to mentor Hojlund.
• Cash splash: Meeting Brentford’s £80m valuation for Toney once his betting ban expires.
• Youth gamble: Persuading Brighton to sell Ferguson with a hefty sell-on clause.
• Sensible buy: Watkins as immediate starter, leaving Hojlund to develop off the bench.

Tactical tweaks could rescue Rasmus Hojlund

United analysts note the Dane excels when runners occupy centre-backs, freeing him to attack space. The club generated his best xG when Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford hugged touchlines and Bruno Fernandes played early through-balls. A deeper midfield signing and a fit Luke Shaw could restore width, but Parker warns time is short: “Manchester United aren’t a charity. If Rasmus Hojlund can’t hit 20 goals, someone else must.”

Psychology and pressure at Old Trafford

Former Reds striker Dimitar Berbatov has urged patience, pointing to Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, who struggled initially before becoming legends. Yet even he concedes the Theatre of Dreams “turns applause to jeers in a heartbeat”. Hojlund admitted in a recent Danish interview that the weight of the No.11 shirt “made me overthink simple chances”. Sports psychologists hired by the club are working on mindfulness routines and visualization drills to sharpen his instincts.

Comparing elite forwards at 21

When Robert Lewandowski was 21, he plundered 18 league goals for Lech Poznań. Haaland lit up Salzburg and Dortmund with a combined 40. Hojlund’s tally is modest by comparison, but he was competing in England rather than Austria or Poland. United hope experience against tougher defenders accelerates his growth curve. They cite Didier Drogba, who exploded late at Marseille aged 25, as evidence patience can pay off.

Fan sentiment getting restless

Social-media polls show 63% of United supporters backing a new marquee striker. Season-ticket holder groups have asked for “urgent clarity” on the club’s attacking plan, noting that local rivals City and Liverpool rotate three clinical finishers each. A group of fans unveiled a banner reading “Ruthless United, Not Rootless United” outside the Megastore after the final home game.

Rasmus Hojlund future: sink or swim?

INEOS insiders insist the young Dane will not be sold, and staff still rave about his acceleration over five metres and relentless pressing. The plan, they say, is competition rather than replacement. Parker, though, believes signing Watkins or Toney is essential: “Make Rasmus Hojlund fight for his shirt. If he wins, fantastic; if not, United still score goals.”

Ten Hag’s verdict

The manager publicly defended his striker: “He’s 21, new country, new league, enormous expectation. Give him time, he will repay us.” Privately, however, he has requested a forward who can drop in, link play, and finish one chance in three. Watkins meets that data profile, boasting a 33% shot-conversion rate versus Hojlund’s 16%.

Key stats (2024-25 Premier League)

Opinion: Time for pragmatism at Old Trafford

United’s rebuild cannot rest solely on potential. Signing Watkins would bring immediate end-product and push Rasmus Hojlund to either rise or step aside. Great clubs manage succession without sentimentality – think Rooney forcing out van Nistelrooy, or Suarez replacing Torres. If INEOS backs Erik ten Hag with a proven finisher, the Dane still has the tools to blossom away from the spotlight. If they don’t, the pressure may crush the raw diamond before it ever shines.