Peter Schmeichel backs Rasmus Hojlund to turn his fortunes around at Manchester United
Manchester United have struggled for goals this season, with much of the blame falling on the underperformance of Rasmus Højlund. After impressing with Atalanta, the Danish striker caught United’s attention, leading to a £64 million transfer in July 2023, a fee that could rise to £72 million with add-ons. It was a major investment, and naturally, the club expected big things from him.
However, Højlund has struggled for confidence in front of goal and has yet to replicate his Atalanta form at Old Trafford, leading to growing frustration for both manager Ruben Amorim and the fans. Speculation has already begun regarding a potential summer move away from the club. Amid the uncertainty, Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has publicly backed Højlund, insisting that the 22-year-old possesses both the talent and mental resilience needed to overcome his current challenges and succeed in a United shirt.
Peter Schmeichel backs Rasmus Hojlund to deliver for Manchester United
According to The Independent, Schmeichel believes that Manchester United’s struggles to consistently win games have also impacted Rasmus Højlund’s confidence. However, he remains fully confident that the Danish striker will overcome these challenges, citing Højlund’s mental strength and the strong family support system around him. The former United goalkeeper also stressed that Højlund remains a highly valuable player for the club and can still play a key role in their future success.
“The boy is very, very talented. He’s like every other player in that squad – of course short of confidence. Everyone. This is the big thing. Once you don’t win games, the confidence levels drop so it’s been a tough one.I mean, he will come through it. He’s so strong mentally. He will come through it. He’s got really, really good support from his family as well and I know what he can do.Hopefully there’s a bit of success left in this team, and you bring that into your break, you come back in a different frame of mind, new season. I’m convinced that he’s still a very, very valuable player for Manchester United.”
The Dane has scored three goals in 28 Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 season. Of those, two goals came at home, while one was scored away. Overall, Højlund is averaging 0.16 goals per 90 minutes. Additionally, he has registered a total of three goal contributions (goals + assists) for the season, equating to 0.16 goal involvements per 90 minutes. His non-penalty expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes stands at 0.18, highlighting his struggles to consistently make a decisive impact in front of goal.
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Manchester United’s young Danish striker brings an exciting blend of pace, power, and intelligent movement to the pitch. He is a real threat in the air, works tirelessly off the ball, and presses defenders relentlessly. While his finishing still needs refinement, his ability to hold up play and spearhead quick transitions underlines the immense potential he has to become United’s main man up front.
Right now, the Red Devils desperately need Højlund to break out of his slump. When playing with confidence, he stretches defences, links up the attack superbly, and finds the back of the net, exactly what United have been missing. If the Danish star can rediscover his best form, it would not only lift the team’s morale but also help justify the significant £72 million investment. More importantly, it could be the catalyst for stabilising the side ahead of next season.