It wasn’t so long ago that Rasmus Hojlund was being mocked by rivals for his performances in Manchester United colours.
After his big-money signing in the summer, the 21-year-old proceeded to struggle in the Premier League and didn’t score his first league goal until December.
Fast forward to the present and everything has changed on its head because he is now being compared to Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland.
It’s fair to say, the early criticisms of the Manchester United star were over the top and these comparisons with Erling Haaland are the same.
Stephen Warnock made it clear that the Treble winner is ‘streets ahead’ of Rasmus Hojlund, but he thinks the youngster edges it in one department, as he told The Football Show on Sky Sports.
The former left-back feels Rasmus Hojlund’s all-round game of holding up the ball is ‘better’ than Erling Haaland’s.
Both players are physical presences, with the Manchester City man possessing speed and power like no other, that’s why he is probably the world’s best.
But if his rival at Old Trafford wants to get close to the Norway star, then he still has a long way to go yet.
Rasmus Hojlund and Erling Haaland
“You are judged on goals,” said Warnock. “Haaland is streets ahead, in terms of goals and the returning goals over the years. Hojlund is a different type of player, for me. I think his all-round game of holding the ball up is better than Haaland’s.
“But Haaland has got that natural desire to get into the penalty box and score goals, but I am a massive fan of Hojlund’s. I think he is an exceptional striker. He was just on an unlucky streak at the beginning and the dip in confidence took over and it was far too hard to get back on track.
“Then he gets his one goal and now we see how much confidence that has brought him. The conversion rate in the last seven games has been quite incredible.
“I wouldn’t compare the two strikers, I know what Gary (Neville) is trying to say, they aren’t like-for-like. But I understand what he is talking about, the power that they both have. He is like a bull, isn’t he?! When he is in those positions. I like his hold-up play, I think it’s brilliant.”
Rasmus Hojlund’s turnaround
To score in six consecutive Premier League games is pretty incredible, especially when you went months in the league without scoring.
What probably kept Hojlund confident were his goals in the Champions League because, even though Man United as a team were abject, he was outstanding.
The player wasn’t rewarded for his efforts in the Champions League, but that’s not the case in the Premier League now.
Erik ten Hag’s side are five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and there is every chance they can finish in the top four in May.
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