Breaking Down Rasmus Højlunds PERFECT Striker Performance Against Brentford

[@Stephenheaven7]

That chip shot, bro was moving like Rasmus Van Nistelrooy 😂🔥

[@onouphrios]

he's moving with that Haaland confidence

[@lmaomoofeq]

He looked like Ruud in those highlight videos of him when he was in his purple patch last season. Complete striker.

[@shawilvanwyk7385]

He did a similar chip last season in the CL.

[@mohdshazwan8881]

You need to mention Rashford performance in this game..the way he helping defence by track back..the assist he gives to garnacho.. brilliant..hope he will consistent

[@amirboxmma6903]

he is not a finisher..he playmakers this season... his passing crossing better

[@akib2542]

Rashford is probably the best crosser out of all our wingers.. it's just a shame that part of his game is stifled on the LW because he needs to cut in on his right foot, which allows the defenders to set themselves. He made a couple of beautiful crosses in the first half, too, and really picked out his man in the box. Rashford playing RW or LW will ultimately be a tactical choice for EtH, depending on the opposition and where he can hurt them more. I'm glad to see him put in the effort, going forward, pressing, and tracking back.

[@KyleKatarnS]

If he continues on this path, he will defnitely grow into an elite level striker, he had everything in his performance yesterday, hold up play, link up play, technicality, and to top it off being CLINICAL, which we've so deeply missed this season. If he continues like this, he will become the complete striker. His package is already incredible, pace, power, clincal, but if he can add the hodl up and link up play to his game further he will become elite one day

[@kyrileontiou7098]

Injuries is a huge issue

[@charlie0358]

completely agree he was holding up play better than last season if he continues that he’s starting every game bc then he’s possessing two styles drop in and help or run in behind and we know zirkzee ain’t gonna run in behind

[@wolfswinkel8906]

He saw what was good about Zirkzee and copied it well. That's a guy with self awareness. Hopefully Zirkzee can also copy Rasmus' finishing.

[@LeKNG]

@@kyrileontiou7098Nah, he was overplayed last season cause he was the only actual striker and played a large majority of the season. You say it as if he’s injury prone.

[@justaordinarycanadianfello360]

Hojlund’s ability to score goals from limited chances shows us that he can become one of the best in the league with service.

[@w1nther930]

Service he almost doesn't get as of yet

[@StuartSmith-kb5pf]

Once Garnacho learns to thread a pass instead of shooting from a tight angle Rasmus will start scoring loads

[@Doctor_Kroom]

We need an upgrade on Bruno. Bruno is more of a counter attacking footballer who mostly looks for the pacy wingers with longballs.

[@Aarya-v5n]

ETH rightly said it, he is the most clinical player in our squad. Zirkzee was brought to drop and link-up the play but Højlund brilliantly did the same thing yesterday on top of being clinical. If he continues to excel in both the departments, he will be the undisputed starting ST and Zirkzee will be 2nd choice. In the 20 mins he played, Zirkzee missed 2 more chances. I hope he also starts being clinical because we are creating alot. In all honesty, we have created enough chances in all games except Spurs, Liverpool and maybe Villa. Everyone needs to take their chances. We also have been conceding less chances. Brentford had 6(2) shots on target at HT (the goal from a set-peice and a long range shot) and at the end of the game, they had 8(2), so no shot on target from open play essentially. Ik it's a way diff team and circumstances now, but we conceded 31 shots in the 1-1 away draw last season, 31!! Tactics will take you till a certain distance, but the hunger and intent of scoring goals is way more imp, which was evident yesterday and what made 1st season so good. Need to build on this.

[@ForwardCat-YT]

Brilliant comment 👏

[@donaldgayheart3739]

Discovering a way of playing Playing both of them would be magical

[@amirboxmma6903]

zikrkzee can play attacking mid if bruno n mount out

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

​@@donaldgayheart3739We need a bench, City fans are telling Pep to play every player at once, the players on their bench today, for their trip to Wolverhampton, we're amazing, shows how great their squad depth is

[@onouphrios]

bro he's THE undisputed starting ST for us lmao. while Zirkzee plays well and enhances the team, Rasmus has the capabilities to do the same and he's clinical as fuck (minus scoring). he came back from injury and immediately took back his spot lol Zirkzee was always the backup, Rasmus wears the #9 bro.

[@Bole77]

"AJ, you should do a video on Eriksen. He's so underrated in how he makes everything tick. He's often the third-to-last player involved in goals, but his ability to play simple, precise, and effective passes is key to keeping the team's rhythm and tempo. Eriksen is the true brain behind this United team."

[@danieldanton1129]

I really rate Ericsson this season, you're right he's been involved in nearly every goal

[@flmworks]

well Eriksen in his prime at Totenham is beast behind Kane and Son

[@femi_danjuma]

He's been very key for us. Not playing much and been out of form last season also contributed to our poor season. As much as i like Mainoo, I'm sorry he's not much of a progressive passer. Next season, we should be looking for a replacement cos Eriksen won't be around for long. I'm suggesting Nicolo Barella or Angel Gomes as they are very good progressive passers but preferably Barella as he's also a good tackler.

[@Bole77]

@femi_danjuma I agree about Barella, but I think he's beyond our budget. We've been linked with Rodrigo De Paul, though I doubt we'll go for him due to his age and Ineos' transfer policy. My dream signing would be Vitinha, but that feels like a long shot!

[@femi_danjuma]

@@Bole77 I don't think Barella will be too expensive for us to buy. I think 3 positions of priority right now are LB, CM and RW. If we can get Alphonso Davies on a free, then our LB will be sorted but that'll seem like a tall order if Madrid are in for him as well. If we can get reasonable amounts for Casemiro and Antony, then we should be able to afford Barella. That'll leave only the RW to fill. We might go in again for Edon Zhegrova of Lille (it was reported we enquired about him very late into the last transfer window). If we can't get Barella, then I'll have Aleix Garcia of Leverkusen or Joey Veerman of PSV as options as they also have good ball progression abilities.

[@thierrytrevorbusinge8186]

I started watching you today...because there're a lot of fan channels that just talk about the game but not tactically which I prefer. Your human but I need someone else's point of view to join with mine to get the overall and I've got to say you're good. Got my subscription and constant viewing for sure

[@AJAnalysis]

Thank you so much for joining! Hopefully we see further positive performances to discuss

[@mantasvalciukas5734]

His hold up play seems to be really improving, the way he receives the ball has changed, hopefully he can continue to develop at this rate

[@TheAlb100]

He's so strong; I don't think I've seen him lose a one on one duel when he holds the defender off since he joined United. Seriously. But....he's not been using it to his advantage yet. This was the first time I've seen him learn to use his body to bully the defender - and then to use that to his advantage by dropping deep. The defender, who felt his power, didn't want to follow him too deep because they get held off and then turned. You've got to buy that privilege from a defender by showing them your power and he did it brilliantly. He earned it. Secondly - when he WAS in posession he used the ball really well in his link up play. Best United performance from him he looked the real deal.

[@w1nther930]

Think you're one of the only people that understand Højlund. Many have asked why he didn't score, but that was because of how he was always getting the ball, back towards the goal and for a hold up, when he is most dangerous when he can get it facing the goal. This new movement of his allows for these moments where he can actually get that ball while facing the goal

[@JuditGartner]

You are right, he has to stop constantly fighting centre back, and getting tired too early. he is best facing the goal when he can use his physicality and quickness to attack

[@Pawsk]

he can play 90 mins for the national team. i dont know why ETH takes him out every game. Resting him maybe?

[@joni.sirvio8867]

He has played 12 and 57 min in national team this season. Last season in euros ave about 65min. In friendlies: 84,14, 79, 63.. Wanna me dig more or can we see national team plays really similarry?

[@Pawsk]

@@joni.sirvio8867 yes please go ahead and dig because you just mentioned two instances where he just returned from injuries.

[@GangeloffMD]

He looked reborn. Engaged, confident, it was a GREAT finish for his goal and he linked up fabulously.

[@AlexRaha]

Excellent vid as always. The link up play was brilliant yesterday and the finish was as clinical as you could hope for. Also worth mentioning, if his link up play improves on this trajectory, he'll get fed more by midfield. More touches and more impact in games.

[@primeprover]

He is the sort of player that learning stuff like this can make a vast difference. Hopefully we continue to see it

[@DavidPeirce]

He was my motm. Brilliant game. He was dropping down into space like Harry Kane. We don't win that game without his hold-up play.

[@briankenome]

Each of his turns was different and amazing

[@lykon2201]

Credit to United for bringing in Zirkzee I can see that hojlund is learning abit from his game in bringing his team mates into play. Hopefully Zirkzee can build confidence and learn abit from hojlund in front of goal and the future is looking bright for United

[@onouphrios]

bro this is hojlund's game lol we misused him last season

[@kaifscarbrow]

Rasmus was my MOTM yesterday. HE IS OUR STAR, A GOALSCORING MACHINE. Just watch

[@mustaq7m]

Was waiting for this 🙌

[@Dr_Bharat_Tiwari]

Brilliant analysis as always AJ

[@peterdonnellan]

He played so well. I was so happy for him as he has always tried hard for us. Great to see his work paying off. Hopefully they all play as hard next game 😅

[@electricpig7823]

He reminds me of Mark Hughes with his holdup play, feeding Giggs & Sharpe on the wings as he spins towards goal for the cross back…

[@Mxnny300]

Good win yesterday but still a lot to do from the boys. Great video again AJ, subbed about a month ago, really like your tactical analysis of our performances.. winds me up when people say we don’t have a style of play or don’t know what we want to do. The manager knows and the players know.. it’s just the execution isn’t always there. I’d rather lose trying to play attacking football then sit back in a low block every game like we used to play. That’s not the United way! will be going to watch them at the London stadium next weekend! Hope it’s a positive one 🤞🏾

[@AJAnalysis]

Thanks for the kind words mate! Enjoy the game next weekend 💚

[@richieaaron6365]

Bro was in great form from his touches to passes to his hold up play a great player

[@briankenome]

His turns man, each one different and amazing!

[@XboneMalone]

I thought he passed well yesterday, the ball to Garnacho in the 1st half was something I didn't see him do last season for example. The team still don't seem to feed him too well (Garnacho is still far too focussed on taking a shot for my liking), so I can see his goal volume increase when they do from the way he's scored since he joined us.

[@louisjamesbillah3032]

You know Rasmus actually has a good passing range right and his footwork is underrated as well.

[@The2ndDogma]

To be fair, I felt Zirkzee was really good as a "backboard" for us while Rasmus was injured. Holding up play and letting runners get forward. But in other aspects he wasn't there. If he keeps working he'll give us another good option in that role and give the team resiliency against fatigue and injury. Great video!

[@dimassubrata]

5:42 just a bit correction that wasn't offside, but the ref called it as Casemiro's foul

[@imo098765]

and when you watch the replay. Didnt even look like a foul

[@kaygeea]

Maybe it’s just me, but I saw a different team in this game, especially in the second half. They looked like they finally believed in what they were doing and told to do by EtH and his staff. They had that extra bit of luck in the game, that meant that things were working out; the press looked good, the defence was solid. I just hope the players maintain that belief and gain more confidence in the system so they get better at executing and I really hope that things work out for EtH and his staff. The team needs our support and belief

[@smoneyowo]

Here we are ❤

[@danielehiagwina]

Hopefully, we're beginning to see Ruud's influence on the strikers.

[@SF-sh3ed]

It has to be coming from Ruud!!! He mentioned Ruud in the post match interview. This is called progress

[@rehanmalik1952]

I think then hag finally realized that Garnacho plays his best at LW and not at RW. Rashford at RW is definitely not something i expected, but it works really well due to his chemistry with Garna and Hojlund being great. both the wingers often switch and play in the match which was really interesting. We can now rotate Amad on RW with Rashford.

[@Gift-vm8nw]

No chance is Rashford getting subed ..ten had would rather sub garna

[@onouphrios]

@@Gift-vm8nw happened since the beginning of the season mate

[@onouphrios]

i don't like it. it's good cause it's gives Garna confidence and the space to grow but Rashy is our best attacker, play him in his best role and stop with this experimenting bs

[@fishfinger7145]

He will be Great

[@perfectentrytrading]

I still want to see Zirkzee on in Bruno’s spot so we have garna rashy hojlund and Zirkzee I think it’ll be brutal with the link up play Zirkzee often does

[@emmanuelpeter6894]

That's looking like the next step. I'd like to atleast see it and how it will workout

[@joni.sirvio8867]

Cant see zirkzee run as defence to make that distribution pass

[@artobjective]

Absolutely agree but would need Ugarte to protect the midfield and mainoo to get the ball up… would be awesome… Amad would fit in too

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

We need a bench, you can't play everyone, all at once

[@artobjective]

@@jean-paulwalters8855 you need to play the best team… the rest is on the bench… yet the best team set up needs to be found.. so. Was just spinning ideas that I think could work

[@L3g0la5]

Garnacho got the man of the match award but Hojlund was definitely the other standout player for me. His hold up and link up play yesterday was superb. I actually prefer Hojlund over Zirkzee as long as we're playing a single striker system. The big difference between Hojlund and Zirkzee is that Hojlund has a goalscorer mindset first. It was evidenced a few times in the game where after he linked play, he'd bust a lung to try and get into the 6 yard box.

[@someasiandude8645]

today almost proves that Hojlund has been working very closely with Ruud and picked up his game play here n there. u can tell there is a presence of an elite footballer in his game. if Ruud can keep on guiding Hojlund then i am certain that Hojlund will turn out be an absolute monster on the pitch.

[@hopelessaquarian]

In my opinion, he always looked promissing, right from the start of his career at United - which in itself is impressive enough. He just did and still does not get nearly enough service from his team mates. I think, in a functioning team he would thrive.

[@mr.samuelaidoo]

Zirkzee’s hold up and link up play is rubbing off on him

[@JustMyOpinion007]

Good video

[@hyena8385]

Not sure why it's that surprising tbh. I know he's been asked play a certain way in the past, but if you look at the occasions where he's had to do holdup (e.g. fairly often for Denmark), it's been top drawer stuff. +Physically, the guy is massive and fit, is it a shock?

[@rdleyaugust]

If you can, go back to the shot Casemiro took that was deflected and flew high over the bar. Look at Rasmus' run and where he ends up. If Case faked the shot and lifted that over the defense , Rasmus was wide open. He did that in another game this season. His runs are fantastic, they just need to look for him more

[@farhadchaudhry]

Hojlund can become a complete player.

[@spectreonyt5168]

I say we need to keep playing that front 4 and let them understand each others game . We could be seeing a msn in garnacho rashy and hojlund

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

No we're not, stop overhyping them, 1 bad game, and be calling them rubbish

[@tahmidistheone]

Van nistelroy's impression on our attackers is working more! Fine chances!

[@jamesbarry9477]

Yea they said that about McCarthy when he came in too

[@mm2801]

Perfect performance 😂 aj analysis king of hyperbole

[@AJ-ry8qd]

OK hater

[@mm2801]

@AJ-ry8qd hater? Because I don't want to join in with the over exaggerating of hojlands performance because of a goal. Do you know what the word perfect means?

[@rickjack1000]

@@mm2801yeah I do and if you had watched him yesterday, he did far more than just score a goal. His hold up and link up play were excellent. He bullied the CB's. So yeah, his performance was pretty much perfect.

[@mm2801]

@rickjack1000 😅😅😅 ok mate. Re watch the game. You type of fans are weirdos. Watching matches whilst being selectively blind. Closing your eyes to his poor touches literally ignoring him losing the ball in the box.

[@rickjack1000]

@@mm2801 you're the weirdo mate. I suggest you re watch the match. And show me his poor touches and when he lost the ball in the box. I think he did that once if I recall. Note I said pretty much perfect. Not perfect. You have to admit. He was excellent on Saturday.

[@AMADISFREEFROMTENHARAM]

the commentators said that Eriksen was not actually offside and if he had scored VAR would have overturned it and allowed the goal. would have been a very nice assist for hojlund.

[@mattk120]

It was a foul, it was never offside

[@armyaj]

Ruud showing why he was brought in!

[@danieldanton1129]

Rasmus is a good lad and humble, he'll be the one texting Ruud at bedtime asking him for pointers on his play

[@danieldanton1129]

I'm comparing him to what I imagine Marcus to be, with his reputation

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

​@@danieldanton1129he's not Ruud, don't overhype him, because one mistake and you'll be saying he's rubbish, overrated and rest of the nonsense thickle fans love to say

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

​@@danieldanton1129there's no correlation between Hojlund or Rashford, do you Rashford's shirt or something, relax with the obsession, don't be a creep

[@Amd2405]

Just hope he doesn't get injured again

[@brybry2k11]

Ruud is definitely behind this improvement imo....

[@joni.sirvio8867]

Aj, did you notice something different withrasfords role. I saw him many times out of wings and even playing next to garna. Even my wife asked what is he doing. I said it must be some new confusion tactics. What do you think?

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

The wingers swap positions during the game, they're also given free roaming roles to put the opposition defence and deep midfielders out of shape

[@joni.sirvio8867]

@@jean-paulwalters8855 that was my take too, but rash was middle. ..he was next to garna making two lw time to time. Did brendford have man marking defence or what?

[@mmsmith1525]

I've said this from time to time, "we have decent players in the squad to challenge for major titles. However, we don't have the manager to take them there."

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

No, we don't have a Haaland or Salah, to be getting the goals required for us to challenge for the league, we also have no LB, and a midfield of Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno, is not challenging for the PL

[@joegoh1968]

ETH finally realised that Garnacho cannot play RW. Rashford was used differently today which was refreshing. Dalot should have scored .. that would have been a great assist from Onana.

[@GavinHitchens]

I don't doubt some of this will be the effect of coaching, the improved hold up play could also have something to do with his back injury resolving? That was a while ago, but backs are irritatingly lingering with their issues.

[@camovault]

My wildest dream right now is to see him pair up with Zirkzee and become our new Cole-Yorke duo😅.. although that would probably be unlikely

[@jamesbarry9477]

It's not his general play that ever concerned me, it was his missing of easy chances. However, he is only 21 so wouldn't be too harsh on him.

[@callumsmith612]

[@LambertGaming1992]

How well do you think Hojlund and Zirkzee would do in a 4-4-2?

[@jean-paulwalters8855]

A team that lack control as it is, looses a midfielder to play 2 9s, upfront, whilst then not having a no.9 option on the bench, when either one/both get tired, or get injured, it wouldn't be the brightest of ideas

[@PaddyDixieTheMinerva82]

And stay fit!

[@aniketdas1147]

Rasmus Hojlund ❌ Robin Vaan Nistelrooy ✅

[@kingarthur8646]

One goal against brentford and it is a perfect striker performance. The standards and expectations at this club are reaching new lows every season. When top strikers in the league are already flirting with the double digits milestone we are celebrating average performers. I guess that it

[@rolwal4699]

Only 21.

[@kingtchala6832]

Hojlund can be a good striker for us, we’re just not utilising his strengths. Said this before and I’ll say it again. United scout and sign players based on specific attributes. Then when they arrive at Old Trafford, the fans (more concerning, managers) expect them to play a different way. Hojlund likes to play on the shoulder of the defender, use his pace and run into space. We’ve had him playing like an old school no9 and backing into cbs. He’s a good striker with a good conversion ratio (he really doesn’t miss a lot). Give the boy chances and he will score. Nothing he did surprised me yesterday.

[@javorgeorgiev6130]

Fernandes and Eriksen are not the players I want to see running past Rasmus when he knocks it down. Otherwise it was nice to watch. Multiple times someone wasn't running upwards fast enough. Either late reaction, too cautious, too slow, or all three. The time Garnacho "missed" his cross to Højlund during one transition was the most blatant example. It didn't matter that Garnacho crossed in front and wide of Rasmus instead of trying to cut it back with 3 defenders on him. The third man in the completely empty right half space was nowhere to be seen because nobody even attempted a run besides those two. Think how many times we are going to be in this situation - Rasmus knocks it down and turns to start a run with the defense already ahead of him with no real chance of outsprinting either CB to the box, the midfielder below is either making the world's slowest run barely ahead of him, or prefers to pass from where he receives. There are only two options up front and they're both wide, no third man. It was a good game, but they had forwards that got played offside by Evans and we should have won by 4 goals. There is no "Big man/fast man" combination in center. Rasmus is playing both at the same time.

[@shakirghazali2890]

Diogo jota watch with pop corn

[@adhumon55]

We need consistancy in these. Not good moments once in a while!

[@abdulalimharuna9964]

Why is ten hag playing Zack zee and not Hojlund?

[@magigekiondere8555]

I'm afraid with zrkzee, we've got ourselves a martial attitude. Sometimes he looks so uninterested.

[@doug66100]

What is going on with Manuel Ugarte? I thought this kid along with Kobbie Mainoo was going to fix our midfield? What injury did he pick up? It's incredible the amount of injuries our Red Devils have accumulated. I never dream that our Red Devils would sink like they have since Sir Alex left. Billions of dollars wasted on coaches and players and haven't gotten nothing, a big Fat 0 in return.

[@hooksx]

Except two trophies in two seasons!

[@Agustin-nz6uz]

This was one of his better performances but he’s not been good. This was not a perfect performance or display of skill. He was decent this game but he needs a lot of work! For the price tag he’s so awful.

[@mixitube489]

While Zirkzee was 9.5-ing about, Rasmus did all these 9, 9.5, 10 all that just 2 or 3 games back. Zirkzee needs to show hunger or he might be the worst signing in Uniteds history.