Manchester United fans are not having fun and the latest revelation from their striker. Rasmus Højlund is set to add to their worries.
The Dane joined the club at the behest of Erik ten Hag last season after breaking through at Serie A club Atalanta BC two seasons ago. He did not score much but his stats and data points showed promise that was similar to Erling Haaland’s breakthrough, according to most reports.
Since then, however, he has barely stayed fit enough to play for the Red Devils but has managed to score 17 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for them up until the time of writing. The club count on him for their goalscoring but have insured themselves by bringing in Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, who, like Højlund, had a breakthrough season in Italy.
The Dutch forward is yet to show what he is made of. Man United have not scored up to 20 goals this season in all competitions, which is why the fans have clamoured for Højlund. The Dane, meanwhile, is now back from another lengthy injury layoff and is even fit enough to go represent Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
He has played a few matches for United since returning as well but was unable to muster up the kind of form that can improve the Red Devils’ tally. He has now come clean on the reason for his sluggish return to his best in a recent interview with the media which he granted while on international break.
“There is no point in rushing things and risking another injury,” he began. “My body feels good again. I might be ready to play 90 minutes, but if I also use my brain a little bit, I don’t think 90 minutes on Saturday against Spain is a good idea.”
“I’ve lost a little weight, but it doesn’t matter. I know there are some benefits to being a little lighter and some benefits to being a little heavier. I’m not focused on the scales. I’ve gotten used to the fact that my weight fluctuates a little bit.”
The striker’s comments will take United fans back to when it was alleged that Romelu Lukaku was overweight and unable to perform at his best for them in the late 2010s. Although Højlund claims he is lighter, this is not the best news as he will be coming up against physically imposing defences all season which will only make him deadweight for the club in the grand scheme of things.
