Rasmus Højlund, a 20-year-old Danish centre forward, is a prominent figure in football headlines. He currently plays for Manchester United, and his journey from Copenhagen to Sturm Graz, Atalanta, and ultimately to Manchester United is nothing short of remarkable. His transfer fee skyrocketed from around £14 million to a potential move to Manchester United for up to £60 million in just a year.

But what’s behind all the hype and the high price tag? Are concerns valid, given his relative inexperience and a modest record of “nine league goals”? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Rasmus Højlund’s game, address the questions surrounding his potential, and debunk any misconceptions. It’s time to unravel the true essence of this young football sensation.

First of all, let’s define what I mean by Rasmus Højlund being an “archetypal Erik Ten Hag centre forward.” We can do this by examining what his strengths are — which will be explored in greater depth v. soon — in accordance with what Erik ten Hag likes in his Centre Forwards;

— Dynamic

— Imposing physical frame

— Ball striking off both feet

— Runs the channels effectively

— Poses an immediate goal threat in the penalty box

— Capable of playing on the last line

These are all attributes that Højlund has & Ten Hag likes in his CFs.

Thus far at Atalanta, Højlund has played as a striker, in a very dynamic & interchangeable front line which will swap positions and find pockets of space in which they can be effective instinctively rather than having a strict pattern of attacking play, trademark of a Gasperini attack. This has meant Højlund has had freedom to drift into channels, attacking the half spaces between the Fullbacks & Centre Backs often, but favouring the runs to the right side more often than the left; this is a dynamic which could be of the upmost benefit to Antony, who has often become isolated as United’s touchline winger last season.

Højlund stands at an impressive 6’3″, and although he is still refining how to fully utilize his physical stature, there’s potential for Benni McCarthy, a member of the United coaching staff, to help him unlock this aspect of his game. McCarthy has a track record of working wonders, as evidenced by Rashford’s stellar season last year. Rashford saw significant improvements in his performance as a Centre-forward, particularly in his back-to-goal play, aerial prowess, and instinctive movement.

Collaborating with Højlund could further enhance his game, allowing him to fine-tune these attributes to his advantage. His substantial physical and athletic advantage provides an exciting opportunity for growth.

Højlund already drifts to wide areas for a long ball from one of the defenders or the Atalanta goalkeeper, aiming to drag defenders out of position, pin them in the wide area and create space of a teammate.

What truly captivates me about Rasmus Højlund is is how much of an instinctive goalscorer he is.

Not only does he actively seek involvement in the build-up play by frequently showing for the ball, but once inside or around the penalty box, he displays an exceptional ability to find pockets of space for taking shots. His off-the-ball movement is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering his age and relatively limited exposure to the highest levels of football.

Undoubtedly, his athleticism shines as Højlund boasts an astonishing burst of speed when he takes his initial touches in open spaces or maneuvers within the penalty area. His rapid, decisive, and instinctive play mirrors Edinson Cavani, frequently executing sharp runs across the six-yard box, catching defenders off guard.

Højlund’s microadjustments to get the cleanest connection on the ball are phenomenal, and are a telltale sign of a high level striker. The intricacies of movement & how natural it comes to Højlund convince me that he is absolutely destined to be an elite level striker, and he is only awaiting his coronation as such. The below video of his hat trick vs Finland demonstrates his exceptional movement.

If you needed any more confirmation of Højlund’s goalscoring abilities & destruction of the narrative of “nine league goals” that is spouted on here, take data’s word for it rather than mine, and take a look at his non-penalty goals (NPG) per 90 which is nothing short of exemplary for a striker.

Højlund can strike the ball with either foot, adding an element of unpredictability to his goal-scoring abilities. As mentioned earlier, he excels at exploiting the gap between FB & CB, often converting these runs into goals. He typically aims his shots across the goal, either high or low, showcasing a combination of power and pinpoint accuracy. While he shares similarities with how Erling Haaland scores his goals for Manchester City, Højlund is not quite at that level. Nevertheless, his athleticism significantly contributes to his ability to generate striking power.

Here Højlund makes his trademark run between FB & CB, creates separation between himself and the defender, strikes the ball from an acute angle off his perceived *weaker* right foot across goal.

Rasmus Højlund possesses raw acceleration too — as alluded to in prior segments of this thread — which allow him to play on the last line effectively. Already playing for Gasperini’s Atalanta in a system that in many ways is rooted in relationism, Atalanta create just as many transition opportunities as they do have sustained periods of possession in games.

Højlund, in this regard, is multidimensional & transcendent of game state. Not only is he a threat in periods of the game where one’s team is seeing a lot of the ball through his movement in the box, but in transition his pure acceleration in turnovers is a massive threat. He tends to drag defenders with him by being perceived as one of the greatest goal threats, but it is athletically difficult for most defenders to match him.

Whilst still raw in elements of his final action/decision making when he enters the final third in transition, under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag, Højlund has the capability to be just as transition threat as a settled possession, off the ball demon.

Overall, Rasmus Højlund has an ELITE profile that means it is a mere inevitability that he will become a top, top striker. It is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when,’ as this is an extraordinary talent that cannot be looked on as just another young talent that carries a risk. Every single inclination is that Højlund will be high level: physical, technical & mental attributes whilst being an asset in multiple game states means he is an attractive proposition for Erik ten Hag. Do not follow the misplaced fear-mongering regarding this transfer that can be seen on here, but judge Højlund by his profile & ceiling — this is an elite talent.

Thank you for taking the time to read! If you enjoyed this content and want to stay updated with more exciting insights and updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter @EthanTaIks.

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