The Rise of Rasmus Hojlund: Unveiling Manchester United's Newest Sensation!

Comparisons with Erling Haaland may not be necessary or desired, but Rasmus Hojlund could be an exception to that. The Danish striker, who is often referred to as the total package, does not shy away from acknowledging the similarities.

"I can see the similarities. We are both fast and left-footed. We are strong as well." Hojlund could also mention that they both exude a natural confidence. This similarity could potentially lead to him joining Haaland in Manchester next season.

Manchester United's interest in him highlights the remarkable ascent of a young talent who had not even scored his first league goal when he departed Copenhagen for Sturm Graz in January of the previous year. After just seven months, he was then transferred to Atalanta.

His impressive performance in Austria resulted in the club earning a transfer fee of €17m (£14.56m), approximately ten times the amount they had initially invested. Considering his subsequent achievements in Serie A, Atalanta now has the ability to demand an even higher price. However, what exactly did Sturm Graz observe in this individual, now being hailed as United's future superstar?

Sporting director Andreas Schicker sees Hojlund as the ideal model. "Our goal is to achieve success on the field by assembling a team led by a handful of experienced leaders, while also surrounding them with talented young players whom we aim to develop," he explains to We.

"We prepare these young players for their next level, achieving success and generating profit. Rasmus serves as a prime example of this ideal working flawlessly. He arrived, thrived, played a crucial role in our goal attainment, established his reputation, and subsequently moved on to a more prominent club in a larger league."

We excel in scouting players with a well-defined and precise profile for each position. In the case of a striker, we prioritize those who possess both exceptional speed and depth in their game. Our early scouting of Rasmus revealed that he was an ideal match for these criteria.

Furthermore, we placed significant emphasis on evaluating his character during the initial stages. Through video calls with Rasmus and his family, we assessed his mental fortitude, which proved to be remarkably impressive, particularly considering his tender age of 18 at the time.

Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer, who is responsible for integrating him into the team, shares the same perspective on style. When Schicker speaks of 'depth', he is referring to the repeated line-breaking runs behind the defense that Hojlund consistently executes.

"Our goal is to involve the strikers swiftly and to adopt a highly vertical approach to cause damage to the opposing team. This demands a significant amount of sprints and quick decision-making from our strikers, and I believe Rasmus possesses these strengths," Ilzer tells We.

It was crucial for us that our philosophy and style aligned seamlessly with his skillset, resulting in a favorable environment for his integration. Ras joined our team as a valuable asset, bringing along his exceptional abilities. His remarkable speed, overall physicality, and relentless determination to put in the effort offensively and defensively were outstanding.

Ilzer was greatly impressed by his character, finding him to be exceedingly open, friendly, and humorous. However, there was something more to it. Despite being a teenager venturing abroad for the first time, his confidence was evident from the moment they first met at a training camp in Slovenia.

"Before we decided to sign him, we thoroughly examined Rasmus, delving beyond his abilities as a player. As a result, I already had a clear understanding of his personality. But when he arrived in Catez, he pleasantly surprised me in every aspect of his character.

He quickly became a part of the team due to his outgoing personality. During a match against Rapid Wien, which was only his second game with us, he scored a goal and celebrated passionately in front of the Rapid supporters.

I attempted to explain to him that this behavior was not appropriate. However, I soon realized that he thrives under the spotlight. Playing in front of and against the fans doesn't hinder him, but rather motivates him to push for that additional five percent in his performance.

His demeanor and energy are truly remarkable. The presence of a packed stadium does not intimidate him; instead, it motivates him. Whether he is playing at home or in the rival team's arena, he possesses an innate ability to connect with the fans and ignite their excitement.

It's as though the soccer field transforms into a vibrant concert stage, with him as the charismatic rock star captivating the audience. He effortlessly thrives in this atmosphere, which is precisely why he quickly became a beloved figure during his brief tenure and why he is destined for success on the grandest football stages.

In addition to that remarkable goal against Rapid, there were two additional strikes during a victorious match against Red Bull Salzburg last August. This outstanding performance caught the attention of clubs across the continent. Schicker quickly realized that the club's futuristic plans for Hojlund were progressing much faster than anticipated.

"He was clearly bound for greater achievements," he remarks, adding that their assistance in shaping his playing style played a part in his rapid progression. It became apparent that he was destined for the next level after his exceptional performance last summer, making it inevitable for him to make a move. Atalanta, in my opinion, was the perfect club for him to take that next step forward."

His impact in Italy was no less impressive. The experienced coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged that while he had expected Hojlund's ability to run, the player's determination to consistently make those penetrating runs surprised even him.

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Rasmus Hojlund's remarkable achievement of scoring a hat-trick for Denmark against Finland in March was truly worth celebrating. Notably, he delivered a goal in his initial Serie A start, and his performance only got better following the World Cup, as he netted in four consecutive games. In addition, his exceptional form continued during the March international break, where he scored an impressive five goals in just two matches for Denmark, showcasing his continuous improvement in the game.

He finished the season in the top 10 of Serie A players, demonstrating his proficiency in scoring goals from open play, hitting shots on target, and making touches inside the opposition penalty area every 90 minutes. Such exceptional performance at the age of 20 is highly likely to accelerate his progress to the next level.

United is attracted to him for various reasons. He not only fills a gap in their forward line but also holds a strong affinity for the club as a United supporter. Philip Billing, his international teammate, regards him as a natural fit for United. He possesses the innate qualities required to excel on the grandest stage and possesses the charisma to capture the spotlight.

Schicker further states, "I have utmost confidence in his abilities and firmly believe that he has a promising future, particularly at the highest echelons of European football. His exceptional speed, power, and goal-scoring ability, combined with his mindset and personal attributes, make him the complete package as a striker."