The search for a striking sensation at Manchester United appears to be coming to an end, with reports indicating that Danish prodigy Rasmus Hojlund, currently plying his trade with Atalanta in Serie A, will soon be officially confirmed by the British football club. United seems to have drawn inspiration from their rivals, Manchester City, and their success story with Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, shaping Hojlund into their version of a potential goal-scoring machine.

Drawing comparisons with Haaland isn’t without merit for Rasmus Winther Hojlund, as the 20-year-old became the youngest foreign player to score at least three away goals in the Italian league this season. Among the major European leagues, only Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala had a higher tally of away goals than Hojlund, with four goals. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

Last summer, amid great anticipation of the “new Erling Haaland,” Atalanta secured Hojlund’s services for €17m. Standing tall at 1.91m/6’3″, his unique blend of height, speed, and power draws parallels to City’s scoring sensation. Hojlund’s exceptional form and goal-scoring spree have begun to showcase his immense potential.

Similar to Haaland, who also stands at 1.94m/6’4″ with Scandinavian roots, Hojlund is a proficient No.9 and can adeptly lead the attack as a lone striker. One trait that echoes Haaland’s style is Hojlund’s preference for central areas, unlike players who tend to drift wide.

Not surprisingly, top European clubs closely monitored the young talent, with Manchester United and PSG engaging in a summer battle for his signature. However, Hojlund had set his sights on joining the red half of Manchester.

Hojlund’s passion for the game was evident from a young age when he emulated Cristiano Ronaldo. His father, Anders, recalled how Hojlund started imitating Ronaldo in everything, even exercising at night with the flu. His journey began with playful kicks of a beach ball, and it was clear from that day that he was left-footed.

Hojlund’s footballing journey started at Brondby’s youth academy, and he later moved on to FC Copenhagen before impressing with 15 goals in 22 games for the club’s U-19 side during the 2020-21 season. His transfer to Austrian side Sturm Graz for €1.9m in January 2022 propelled him further, as he recorded 12 goals in 21 games across all competitions.

The young striker himself acknowledges the similarities between him and Haaland, admiring the Norwegian’s speed, height, goal-scoring instincts, and remarkable finishing ability.

When Atalanta signed Hojlund, his record at Graz showcased his goal-scoring prowess, averaging either a goal or an assist every 113 minutes. He continued to impress at Atalanta, scoring nine goals in 32 appearances and displaying a commendable work rate.

Gasperini, Atalanta’s coach, spoke highly of Hojlund’s talent, praising his extraordinary evolution, generosity, and potential to become a top future striker.

While Hojlund may not possess Haaland’s blistering pace, he compensates with a strong central presence, making him a significant threat during transitions. His combination of speed, strength, and technical dribbling makes him an excellent fit for Manchester United, especially when breaking down a low block defense.

Hojlund’s statistics are quite impressive, with 6.42 touches per 90 minutes in the attacking third and 8.40 received progressive passes, placing him in the top five percent of center-forwards.

Having made his full Denmark debut in September last year, Hojlund has already netted six goals for his national team.

In Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United may have discovered a gem destined to follow in the footsteps of the renowned Erling Haaland, and fans eagerly await the official confirmation of this exciting addition to their squad. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.