Manchester United would have to pay a massive amount to sack the under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag. (Image Credit- Getty Images)
Robbie Savage believes Manchester United are still some way off from competing for the Premier League title
Former Manchester United player Robbie Savage, while speaking to Star Sports (h/t Manchester Evening News) believes Manchester United are still some way off being seen as title contenders and is not fully convinced of new signing Rasmus Hojlund being the solution to the striker issue.
United formally announced the signing of Hojlund from Atalanta BC and the Danish was unveiled in front of a full attendance at Old Trafford.
He did not feature in the game against RC Lens which United won 3-1 thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro but would have had a fair idea of the high level that his new teammates play at
While there are promising signs under Erik Ten Hag of the team progressing at a high level and the three summer signings will improve the team from last season, Savage believes that United are still some way off competing for the Premier League title.
“[United] desperately need a No.9. The amount of goals Marcus Rashford got last year. In pre-season, Jadon Sancho has been playing as a false nine, he got a goal against Arsenal, fantastic finish from a mistake…
They closed the gap last year but they’ll be miles off. A No.9 for Manchester United is imperative. No.9s down the years, they’ve gone for older players.
Now Harry Kane, he’s the only person I’d go for. there’s talk about Hojlund but does he score enough goals? He’s a fantastic prospect but for me, if you’re looking at what they’ve gone for in recent years they’ve always gone for someone who has done it, maybe gone past their best, Kane is not past his best.
If they can get him, whatever it costs, I’d go for him. Until they get a No.9 Manchester united will not achieve what they want to achieve.”
Robbie Savage not convinced by Rasmus Hojlund signing to Manchester United. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Savage is correct in his assessment that a top team requires a top-level striker to win the big trophies and Harry Kane would have been an ideal candidate for the present but then United would have been presented with the same issue in the coming 2-3 years.
Hence, the signing of a young raw talent in Hojlund who has the potential to become one of the top strikers in the coming years shows a change of approach from United and something which should be appreciated. He had nine goals in 32 Serie A games last season, which isn’t the worst return in the world for a player his age.
Kane’s transfer fee along with the huge wages required could have disrupted the environment that Ten Hag is trying to build and Hojlund is the perfect player for the long-term project at Old Trafford (not that we signed Hojlund for cheap).
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has all the traits to become a success (Image Credit: Getty Images)
It should be kept in mind that he is still 20 and hence there should be too many expectations levied on him and proper time should be given to help him realise his immense potential.
These are exciting times to be a United fan and while there is still some way to go before we are right at the top, it is important to cherish and enjoy the journey while we are on the way up.
Potent No. 9s are a rarity right now. It’s a smart tactic to buy someone young and put your faith and resources in him, and hope he fulfils his potential.
Yuvraj Singh
