Rasmus Højlund, the missing piece of the puzzle

Introduction

Rasmus Højlund is a 20-year-old Danish center forward who has been signed by Manchester United (from Atalanta) for around 70 million euros.

He is an agile player with good ball reception and a great shot.

Play Style

Counterpressing

• Being a center forward with a lot of versatility and emphasis, he tends to corner his rivals intensely to cause the loss of the opposing team.
• Said intensity is not only reflected in offensive actions but also in defensive plays.
• His impetus to want to recover the ball is so explosive that it encourages the other teammates to do so.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗮

➟ Al ser un delantero centro con mucha versatilidad y énfasis, suele acorralar a sus rivales de manera intensa para provocar la pérdida del equipo contrario.pic.twitter.com/BIQgAUQSZw

— 𝑹𝒂𝒖𝒍 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂 (@Raulgarciaa15) July 28, 2023

Speed in Space

• A player behind the defense is considered to be practically unstoppable.
• His stride, drive, physical prowess, and intelligence allow him to score more easily than other forwards.
• Here is a similar move, where he reads the uncheck and looks for the break through physicality and speed.
• This time adjust the shot more so that it is practically impossible for the goalkeeper to save the ball.

𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼

➟ Se considera un jugador que a la espalda de la defensa es prácticamente imparable.

➟ Su zancada, conducción, portento físico e inteligencia le permiten anotar con más facilidad que otros delanteros.pic.twitter.com/xkkobzYG7G

— 𝑹𝒂𝒖𝒍 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂 (@Raulgarciaa15) July 28, 2023

Ball Protection

• He is a player who is in charge of the "dirty work" of the team outside the area, picking up the balls and trying to get the most out of it.
• Practically an out-of-class hungry for a goal.
• When he receives with space, he is a brilliant striker since he seeks the best for the team with the game as a whole, he does not focus on finishing the play himself.
• He knows how to move with his body in an exceptional way, in addition to making millimeter passes.
• The ball is aerial? No problem, he lowers the ball even if he has a rival on top of him.
• He is a shrewd striker with dazzling class who moves away from play to create space in his starting position.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻

➟ Es un jugador que fuera del área se encarga del “trabajo sucio” del equipo, recoger los balones e intentar sacarle el máximo provecho posible.

➟ Prácticamente un fuera de clase con hambre de gol.pic.twitter.com/4rsInbEqtj

— 𝑹𝒂𝒖𝒍 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂 (@Raulgarciaa15) July 28, 2023

Agility in the Box

• Despite his size and physique, he is an unpredictable footballer who retains a lot of style.
• Few people expect a precise heel shot inside the area made by a player who is 1.91 meters tall.

𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮

➟ A pesar de su envergadura y físico, es un futbolista impredecible que conserva mucho estilo.

➟ Poca gente se espera un taconazo preciso dentro del área realizado por un jugador que mide 1'91 metros.pic.twitter.com/3Gq81wPz86

— 𝑹𝒂𝒖𝒍 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂 (@Raulgarciaa15) July 28, 2023

Relevant Data

• He is one of the players from the 7 major leagues who has achieved the most:
• Non-penalty goals per 90 (0.62).
• Shots on target (57.3%).
• Goals converted (26%).
• Touches inside the box (5.58).

Heat Map and Graphics

• Stands out in central areas to control balls and receive from behind in search of the rival goal.
• He is a player who does not mind going long distances or getting out of position to give freedom in the game.
• His most sublime qualities are the touches and passes he executes for every 90 minutes.
• On the other hand, despite his great style, Højlund weakens (compared to other forwards) in aerial actions and shots on goal.
• Compared to the only center forward that Manchester United has, Højlund surpasses him in a notable way.


Compare strikers


• The only thing in which Martial surpasses Højlund is in the passes since he comes into play more than the Dane.
• Earning the nickname "The New Haaland" is not easy, but everything indicates that with perseverance he could enter the fight against the Norwegian.
• Both are strikingly similar; Højlund surpasses him in passes but Haaland leads him in goals and aerial duels.

🔎📊 STRIKERS

• Top 5 Leagues 🇪🇺
• Under 23 👦
• Over 3,000 minutes ⏱️
• Non-penalty goals : 90+ percentile ⚽️

2 PLAYERS FOUND

➡️ Erling Haaland 🇳🇴
➡️ Rasmus Højlund 🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/SO2zG7kTmT

— DataMB (@DataMB_) August 3, 2023

Role at Manchester United

In Ten Hag's team, Højlund would be the reference “nine”, who will delay his position somewhat to receive passes or lower balls and move them towards the band.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that in recent years Manchester United has been used to playing without a pure "9", the arrival of Højlund was necessary for all that it would bring to the club.