He is young, blond, tall, strong, fast, Scandinavian and a striker with a lethal left foot. Even their surnames sound similar.
Comparisons between Rasmus Hojlund and Erling Haaland were inevitable once Manchester United made Hojlund their top target. United are in talks to sign him from Atalanta, who are using the link to Haaland to demand £86million.
Even the Italian club’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has made the comparison when discussing his player’s attributes.
United are reluctant to spend more than £60m on the Dane after signing Andre Onana for £43m and Mason Mount for £55m.
But while it is way too soon to brand Hojlund as ‘Haaland 2.0’, he has huge potential, so here are the areas where the 20-year-old from Copenhagen can perhaps be likened to City’s super striker.
Manchester United are looking to sign the next Erling Haaland – called Rasmus Hojlund (above)
GOALS, PACE AND POWER
First, his history. Hojlund cost £15m when Atalanta signed him last summer and he scored nine goals in 32 games in Serie A.
Before that, Sturm Graz paid £1.5m for him and he scored nine goals in 18 games in Austria’s Bundesliga. He previously played for Copenhagen, where he did not score in 19 Danish Superliga games, albeit he only started two of them.
It has been a steady rise since then to become the striker being chased by United, who see somebody with the pace and power to cut it in the Premier League.
For pace, see the goal for Sturm against Salzburg when he powered past the last defender before scoring emphatically, or the time he turned on the afterburners to close down Lecce’s goalkeeper and strike for Atalanta.
For power, see the YouTube compilations of him holding off defenders, including the goal for Atalanta against Spezia when he used his strength and skill to turn and score.
He cost £15m when Atalanta signed him and he scored nine goals in 32 games in Serie A
HE LOVES A TAP-IN
One of Hojlund’s greatest strengths is bursting into areas where he can score simple goals, much like Haaland.
One example stands out.
When Atalanta scored their second goal against Lazio last season, it started with Ademola Lookman countering down the left wing. Hojlund sprinted from halfway before placing himself between two defenders to slide in to score.
It looked easy, but was a product of his desire to get into that position. It was no fluke. He scored similar tap-ins for Atalanta against Monza, home and away.
With wingers such as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony feeding him, Hojlund could boost his numbers by getting on the end of their balls into the box.
One of Hojlund’s greatest strengths is bursting into areas where he can score simple goals
THREAT DOWN THE MIDDLE
Haaland does not drift out wide. He leaves that to the wingers who can create chances for him. He knows he is at his best when he stays central.
Hojlund’s touch maps show he is the same.
Only two other players in Serie A managed more touches per 90 minutes in the opposition box last season.
Atalanta may tweak their system from game to game but Hojlund does not change his position, realising his best bet for scoring is to remain in that zone.
Though the central areas are often congested, Hojlund can handle himself. He has fast feet for a 6ft 3ins striker and, while there is room for improvement, he is adept at linking up. The back-heel is a particular favourite when playing one-twos.
Haaland does not drift out wide. He leaves that to the wingers who can create chances for him
NUMBERS GAME
This is where Hojlund and Haaland differ.
Haaland is a striker of extraordinary statistics. He scored a goal every 77 minutes in the Premier League last season, while Hojlund averaged one every 204 in Serie A. Naturally, if you are the finisher for the English champions, you are going to get more chances than the guy leading the line at the team who finished fifth in Italy.
United could argue there is unpredictability to Hojlund’s game because, although he is left-footed, he is much more open to using his right than Haaland.
Hojlund’s weaker foot accounted for a quarter of his shots for Atalanta last season. Those close to Hojlund describe him as the ‘total package’ with confidence to boot.
United see the potential, but now need to come to an agreement with Atalanta if we are going to see him try his luck in the Premier League and whether he can get anywhere near matching Haaland’s stellar first season.
Haaland is a striker of extraordinary statistics. He scored a goal every 77 minutes in the Premier League last season, while Hojlund averaged one every 204 in Serie A
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