€75m transfer mistake: Man Utd are the WRONG club for summer signing

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 7 Nov 2023 11:43 GMT
  • 3 min read
Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, money
© ProShots

Former Manchester United player Paul Parker believes that Rasmus Hojlund's move to Old Trafford came too soon in his career.

The Danish youngster has not quite had the impact many expected, especially considering his hefty price tag of €75 million. Though the 20-year-old has scored in each of his three Champions League outings this term, he has failed to net in domestic competitions and this is a major concern.

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Man Utd's form has been inconsistent - to put it mildly - and it required a late, late strike from captain Bruno Fernandes to salvage all three points at Craven Cottage against Fulham after yet another lacklustre performance, coming off the back of successive 3-0 home defeats that ramped up the pressure on Erik ten Hag.

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The lack of attacking output from the Red Devils' frontline - Marcus Rashford is the only attacker to have found the back of the net in the Premier League this term - is the biggest headache for Ten Hag, and Hojlund is not free from sin despite the myriad signs of promise from the wonderkid.

Rasmus Hojlund
© ProShots - Rasmus Hojlund

What did Parker say?

It is perhaps becoming clear that the Dane made the step up from Atalanta to Man Utd too soon in his career given that he only had one season of top-level senior football under his belt at the time of the transfer. Ex-Red Devils player Paul Parker certainly thinks so.

“He works so hard," Parker told Danish media. "He is a very skilled striker, I can see that with the way he holds the ball in play and especially the runs he makes. He stands out as something very positive right now. The fans really like him and I would say he has the potential to become a fan favourite. He has this honesty about him, which is rare in modern football."

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"There is certainly a lot to build on, also with his age in mind, but we have to ask the questions: Is Manchester United the right club for him at this time? No, it’s not. Is he being coached by the right manager? Yes, I think so. Did he arrive at Manchester United at the wrong time? Yes, he did. 100 per cent.”

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