After a season of dreaming about their own Erling Haaland, Manchester United fans can start having hope once more thanks to the form of Rasmus Højlund, which Jamie Carragher has praised.
The Danish striker has not had much action this season thanks to the injury he picked up during pre-season, but against Brentford in a match they needed to win, he showed up.
His performance elicited excited reactions from the crowd and the fans at home, who took to social media to shower praise on the player who was one of Manchester United’s brightest sparks on the day.
The performance was not lost on Jamie Carragher, who spent a better part of his career battling Manchester United with Liverpool in fierce rivalry matches. The former defender-turned-broadcaster still keeps the rivalry alive in his own way, but kept that aside to praise the young striker who has had so much heat directed his way since joining the Red Devils.
“Højlund, I think he’s starting to look a player,” Carragher said. “I was really impressed with him in Porto a couple of weeks ago, he put a real shift in.”
“There’s real talent in the front three, but the man who gets the winning goal, I think he’s starting to look a player.”
Carragher also spoke about what the win could mean for the down-in-the-dumps Manchester United ahead of a tough Premier League season where their target is now to finish in the top half of the table thanks to a horrendous start to the season.
“The front three,” Carragher added. “We talk about Marcus Rashford being better suited on the left, but he played on the right, and I think it’s one of his best games we’ve seen.”
“Garnacho on the left side scores a great goal. I think the combination of that front three is maybe something that can keep them going.”
Aaron Ramsey, with who he was performing punditry duties, added on Rashford: “I think he’s a fantastic player when you get him on the ball. He can produce lovely little passes and opportunities.”
“He had a massive impact on the game, especially in the second half.”
The Premier League’s all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer, also shares his thoughts on Højlund’s slow resurgence.
“The positives today were without a doubt the front three in Garnacho, Rashford and Højlund,” Shearer said. “I thought they more than played their part and were a constant threat for large parts of the game. They linked up well, getting their shots away at goal. I thought Højlund was really impressive.”
“A lot of times having to do the dirty work and holding defenders off. It allowed the other two to play a more forward role.”
