Ruben Amorim can elevate 'talented' Rasmus Hojlund to Viktor Gyokeres levels at Manchester United, says Owen Hargreaves
Published 28/11/2024 at 23:34 GMT
Rasmus Hojlund impressed as Manchester United beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League. The forward netted twice, and TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves said he is a "really talented young man" and thinks United head coach Ruben Amorim can help raise his game. Hojlund said the 3-4-3 system employed by Amorim at Manchester United "suits me very well".
Highlights: Man Utd win rollercoaster match against Bodo/Glimt after Hojlund brace
Video credit: TNT Sports
Owen Hargreaves believes Ruben Amorim can raise Rasmus Hojlund to Viktor Gyokeres levels after he scored twice in Manchester United’s 3-2 UEFA Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt.
Gyokeres has been in red-hot form this season with 24 goals in 17 games for Sporting Lisbon.
He was signed by Amorim from Coventry in 2023 and is now one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.
Hojlund has not come close to matching Gyokeres’ goal output during his United career so far, but Hargreaves thinks new United head coach Amorim can help with that.
"It was nice to see Hojlund step up and score some goals and I think there is so much potential in him," said former United midfielder Hargreaves on TNT Sports.
"That is the good thing about Ruben Amorim, he has been with young players, and you saw what he did with Viktor Gyokeres, I am sure he can do that with Hojlund."
- Hojlund double sees United past Bodo/Glimt
- UEFA Europa League standings
- UEFA Europa League fixtures / results
Hojlund was heavily involved in United’s opening goal as he pressed the Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper and forced a loose ball that Alejandro Garnacho scored from.
Hojlund then made it 2-2 with a fine volleyed finish before netting the winner in the 50th minute.
"He is a really talented young man, but he wants to get the goals and that is massive for his confidence," said Hargreaves.
"The first goal was his press, which helped as well. I loved his finish, the touch and the finish was exceptional. He is only going to get better. The goals will help him big time."
Despite Hojlund’s positive display and the final result, Hargreaves thinks Amorim still has plenty of work to do at United.
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'This is special' - Amorim bowled over by Old Trafford recption for first match
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"This team is a long way off the way he wants it.
"Man Utd have so many good players, but it’s about putting them in a system that is going to be effective. I think going forward they will score, but I worry about having two in midfield who have to work incredibly hard – I am not sure they have that in the squad.
"He’s still working on trying to find the best balance in the team. A lot of people are playing different positions, so it’s going to take a bit of time to see these players in different positions, and then he can work out what he wants his best team to be.
"It’s a work in progress. Today they addressed the goalscoring, but they need to work on the balance as a whole."
Hojlund: Formation suits me very well
Hojlund’s goals were the first time he had scored for United in a month.
It remains to be seen whether he will be the regular focal point of Amorim’s team, but he says the 3-4-3 formation used by the new head coach is similar to his previous club, Atalanta.
"It’s going to take time, but we can already see it’s getting better," he told TNT Sports.
"It takes time to get into the season after a difficult start, now it’s up to us to build on it.
"This reminds me how I played in Atalanta with a 3-4-3, and it suits me very well."
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'Suits me very well' - Hojlund can already see improvements under Amorim
Video credit: TNT Sports
Reflecting on the win over Bodo/Glimt, he added: "Little bit of a bad start. We showed character, but we want to make sure these games don’t get too exciting. It’s about the three points, and we did the job."
United host Everton in the Premier League on Sunday before facing Arsenal in midweek.
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