Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund has come under heavy criticism this season following his underwhelming performances for the Red Devils.
His lacklustre finishing has frustrated fans, prompting calls for his sale, and following his display against Chelsea where he had no shot on goal, Manchester United legend Roy Keane has slammed the Dane, prompting the club’s directors to find a new striker.
The Danish striker has scored just 4 goals in 31 games in the premier league this season after enduring a 19-game goal drought, and fans believe he is not the exact calibre of striker needed at the club to take them to the next level.
United have struggled in the league this season due to their lack of a clinical approach on different occasions.
In the summer transfer window of 2023, the Red Devils forked out a fee of £64 million for Atalanta’s striker Hojlund, with an additional £8 million in performance-related bonus, bringing the sum total of the fee to £72 million.
Before joining Manchester United, Rasmus Højlund scored nine goals in 32 appearances for Atalanta. Despite this modest tally, United deemed it sufficient to sign him for the Theatre of Dreams, but he has since fallen short of expectations.
Excuses could be made about why the Striker has not hit the ground running, but his underperformance can be attributed to a combination of individual, team, and systemic factors.
Individual Factors Affecting Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund
Low shot volume
This season, four of Højlund’s goals have come from the 31 shots he has taken, with 12 on target, which means he averages 0.13 goals per game.
He also has a shooting accuracy of 39% with a conversion rate of 12.9% (2.4 shots per goal). These numbers show that the Danish international needs to improve in this aspect to get more goals for his team.
Poor Movement
Højlund, standing at 6’3″, has, on most occasions failed to utilise his physicality on premier league defenders. His movement is a significant contributor to his poor numbers.
Top strikers use quick, deceptive runs to lose markers or time their arrivals for cutbacks and crosses, but Højlund’s runs are often predictable or mistimed. His 74 touches in the opposition box across 1,931 minutes proves he’s not frequently in prime scoring positions.
He has struggled to consistently position himself in high-danger areas inside the penalty box.
Elite strikers maximize their presence in the six-yard box or central zones where expected goals are highest, but Højlund often drifts to less threatening areas.
Confidence and Finishing
Enduring a 19-game goal drought, following a 21 barren run earlier this season could have had an impact on the player, affecting his form.
Strikers grow confidence from scoring goals and extended periods without a goal can have mental effects which could create self-doubt.
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Team Factors
Lack of service
Manchester United have been poor in every area of the team this season, which is why they rank 2nd with Backward Passes (3127) and fifth with the least goals in the league (42).
This shows a stagnant United attack which struggles to create meaningful scoring opportunities and lacks fluidity in the final third.
The high volume of backward passes reflects a cautious, low-risk style.
Tactical Issues
The style of play has a significant impact on the players. Before arriving at United, Højlund at Atalanta has been involved in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s direct and counterattacking football, in which he flourished.
But since making his United debut, Højlund has played under three different coaches (Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruben Amorim), who have their own footballing ideologies.
Under current head coach Ruben Amorim, United are set up in a structured, possession-based style with a focus on wing-back play and defensive solidity, which one could say doesn’t suit the player and could hinder the player’s attacking flair.
Systemic Factors
Injuries
Højlund has had four documented injuries at Manchester United: a back issue in 2023, a hamstring strain in November 2023, a muscle injury in February 2024, and a hamstring injury in July 2024.
These have disrupted his rhythm, contributing to his inconsistent performances and confidence issues.
High Expectations
The price tag on the striker could be a potential problem as to why he’s been struggling.
A £72 million fee for a 22-year-old who has travelled across countries created unrealistic pressure. And also comparisons to an already seasoned striker in Erling Haaland might have played a role.
Conclusion
Collectively, these factors explain why the young striker has struggled in the early stages of his Manchester United career.
Moreover, United’s unprecedented low of 16th in the Premier League table has fostered an environment where every minor error or lapse is heavily scrutinised.
This could create a vicious cycle that hinders Højlund’s ability to replicate his 10-goal Atalanta form, threatening his long-term future at the club unless addressed through better coaching, team synergy, and restored confidence.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 16.05.2025