One of the key areas Manchester United have failed in this season has been the attack. A paltry 24 league goals in their first 21 matches means the Red Devils rank as one of the lowest-scoring sides in the league. Only Crystal Palace, outside the relegation region, has scored fewer goals, and it should form the biggest of concerns for the side once a powerhouse in English and European football. All this on the backdrop of having spent £72m on a striker, smells of bad business.
In the summer, Manchester United, in clear need of a finisher to bolster their attacking ranks, made a stop in Bergamo and left with a striker, Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund. The forward, not known for his scoring prowess, was still thought to be a good enough catch for United in a market dictated by high prices. However, arriving with an injury, it would take some time before the forward finally made his debut. It took him even longer to settle in the Premier League, while Hojlund did well in the Champions League, being the biggest spark in a continental run that didn’t turn out so well for United.
New angle
However, after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, there is a new angle to his game that was spotted. The desire to have him link up well in attack with Marcus Rashford is coming up well, as seen in that game, and manager Erik ten Hag will want to see the best of this coordination. This is what could raise United’s ratings from the current lows seen across the bookies listed on Cheekypunter, which are also the top rated authorized online football betting sites to consider in 2024. Rashford himself has had a difficult season and in his struggles, the one spark he can bring lies in his coordination with Hojlund in attack. These two linking up is seriously important for United; Hojlund a major signing for the club, and Rashford on a £300,000 per week contract. This investment by the club must just pay back better than it has, with only six goals between them in the league this season.
Manager’s trust
The duo, having played a combined 36 league matches, means they have the manager’s trust and need to repay with higher dividends. The two combined well for the two goals at Old Trafford in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur and for a moment, fans would feel the Dwight Yorke – Andy Cole combo of the ‘90s all coming back. The gains from that game should not be allowed to die away; they were both a handful for the Spurs defence, though many would agree Rashford should have scored more. The positive from the game is that at least they didn’t look like strangers meeting for the first time in those forward pockets.
For Rashford, the goal just before halftime was a welcome break after going on a goal drought at Old Trafford. With his performance in the game, he ignites the thought that while he can’t replicate his form last season, he can be key to Hojlund settling in well.
