“Forget about Arsenal, Man United are the real title contenders and that’s because of this particular player… looking at his performance yesterday, I know we’re in big trouble”: Pep Gaurdiorla is so scared of ONE Man United’s player after yesterday game
Manchester United kicked off their tricky run of fixtures post the international break with the best possible result, beating Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s big tactical change powered Man Utd’s second-half comeback after Brentford’s shock lead at the stroke of half-time had Man Utd fans fearing the worst.
Ultimately, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund’s goals were enough to get all three points although it was another game where they should have won more comfortably.
Still, with a team that had won only three games out of 11 across all competitions, just three points will be a huge sigh of relief but in addition, one player in the Man Utd squad showed something that could transform the team.
Rasmus Hojlund’s complete game
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund has provided glimpses of tantalising potential combined with frustrating injury layoffs and a raw skill set that needs further honing.
One thing that has been unquestionable about him, though, is his clinical ability to put away chances, once again on display vs Brentford.
The kind of calm and composed chipped finish he showed vs Brentford was last visible at Old Trafford when Anthony Martial actually played football. Hojlund credited Ruud van Nistelrooy afterward as the killer instinct was there.
That’s something only a natural striker hungry for goals can do but what would impress Erik ten Hag even more was his holdup and linkup play.
Fans have long been asking for Hojlund to play a complete game as generally, he seems peripheral to proceedings if he can’t score or assist.
That starts by using his physical gifts to overpower opposition centre-backs and make the ball stick to his feet with his back to the goal.
Too often, Premier League defenders outsmarted him by stealing a yard or pushing him away intelligently but against Brentford, he had the centre-backs on toast.
He got outsmarted once in the first half to some groans from supporters but in a sign of a developing player, it never happened again.
Hojlund regularly spun his opposite number after that, fashioning numerous chances for the team and bringing others into the game with his passes.
Hojlund said after the game: “I was trying not to fight too much with the defenders, I was trying to focus on getting the ball to my feet.”
Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd also praised his complete game: “He (Hojlund) has been excellent. As I said earlier, the way he led the line, dropping in, linking the play, obviously got that goal, put Manchester United 2-1 up.”
