Rasmus Hojlund back on track as transfer flop of 2023/24 as Haaland comparison bears out
We thought Rasmus Hojlund’s run of seven goals in six games put an end to his chances of being named transfer flop of the season, but he’s put himself right back in the running.
It’s been a curious debut season for Manchester United’s £64m striker. He scored five goals in three Champions League group games, all of which United lost, and all of his nine Premier League goal contributions (seven goals and two assists) came in six consecutive games between Boxing Day and February 18. He’s drawn a complete blank in the 18 games besides.
That spell at the turn of the year that left egg on the faces of five of the nine Football365 writers, who had up to that point felt awfully smug having predicted the Denmark international would be the biggest flop of the season.
It wasn’t just the number but the quality of the goals that Hojlund was scoring that made us all feel a bit daft as we instead questioned whether Manchester United may have broken their decade-long transfer policy and signed a very good footballer for a reasonable price. If anything, £64m looked like a bargain.
But was it a false dawn? After his brace against Luton in mid-February Hojlund missed three games through injury, but contrary to the understandable belief of many watching United games since, he has actually started their last five in all competitions.
Not only has he failed to score or assist in any of those five games, he’s had just three shots and one on target, and 14 touches in total in the opposition box. Manchester United have essentially been playing with ten men: a criticism now typically aimed at Manchester City and Erling Haaland.
Related video: Does Erling Haaland lack football IQ? (Homestand Sports)
Doesn't show up for the big game.
READ MORE: The ridiculously bad stats of Erling Haaland: Big-game bottler and ‘League Two player’
There were inevitable lazy comparisons between Haaland and Hojlund when the latter arrived in the Premier League: similar names; both Nordic; both quite big forwards; both now in Manchester. And Hojlund, United and their fans would presumably have been very pleased indeed had they been told that by mid-April parallels would still be being drawn between the two.
They’re unfavourable comparisons though, drawn with Haaland currently in a significant trough, and without that lull for the Manchester City star we would instead be referring to Hojlund as ‘Haaland without the goals’.
If Hojlund was expertly holding the ball up or creating opportunities for others then fine, but he’s not been producing anything of note besides the goals he hasn’t been scoring.
He ranks eighth for shot-creating actions at United on 2.50 per 90 minutes; he’s 12th behind Victor Lindelof (0.20) and Harry Maguire (0.18) for goal-creating actions on 0.15 per 90. Six players have played more key passes. He ranks eighth for successful take-ons and nearly ten per cent of his 526 total touches have been miscontrols.
There’s little doubt that under new management, in a team taking shots rather than one not really trying and failing to prevent them, directed to put balls into the box from wide and told in general to at least attempt to feed Hojlund more often, he would be more of a success.
But he does have one of the Premier League’s foremost creators in Bruno Fernandes playing directly behind him, and while Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho must at times be infuriating to play with, Hojlund should have forged more of a relationship with those players by now.
It’s fair to say he’s lacked service, but surely after three shots in five games Hojlund should be trying to make something happen. Go and get the ball; make a chance for yourself. How many corners or free-kicks have been delivered into the box in that time? How many times has Fernandes found himself in some space with time on the ball waiting for a forward run?
There’s really no excuse for doing quite so little. As the cliched line goes: the time to worry isn’t when a striker’s missing chances but when they’re not getting them. By that logic Hojlund and Manchester United should be very concerned indeed.
The majority of us F365-ers are feeling pretty smug again though, on track as we are to nail the transfer flop of the season: Rasmus Hojlund.
Sporting CP stars reassigned after Amorim joins Liverpool: Salah successor, Arsenal land priority target
Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim looks like a shoo-in to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but a certain Spaniard did a few weeks ago and that did not work out in their favour.
Potential interest from Chelsea and Manchester United could complicate matters but certain outlets are assuming Amorim to Liverpool is already as good as a done deal with reports suggesting FSG could target one or two of the 39-year-old’s favourite players at Sporting in the summer.
Liverpool may be wise to learn from mistakes made by Ajax-obsessed Erik ten Hag, but they are not going to be alone in pursuing Sporting stars after they clinch the Primeira Liga title.
Assuming Amorim does head to Anfield, here are six players (all below fees are taken from transfermarkt, by the way) who could follow their head coach in moving to the Premier League before next season.
Ousmane Diomande to Manchester United (£34m)
This season has proved that Man Utd are still miles away from being in a position to challenge for the Premier League title so Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. have a huge job on their hands heading into the summer window.One of Ratcliffe’s main missions will be to right previous wrongs in the transfer market and the addition of a young centre-back will be a priority.
With Raphael Varane clearly past his peak and Lisandro Martinez missing much of this season due to injury, Ratcliffe should use the bulk of his summer budget on a centre-back (plus a striker) and 20-year-old Diomande – who has also been linked with Chelsea – would fit their new model of recruiting up-and-coming talents.Related video: 'You have to be close to perfection to win the league' - Klopp on title race (SNTV)
Marcus Edwards to Tottenham Hotspur (£21m)
Another recent example of a young Englishman coming good in Europe, Edwards has made waves during his spell at Sporting after he was cut loose by Spurs in 2019 after failing to make a single senior appearance for the Premier League outfit.After a couple of miserable seasons with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in the dugout, Ange Postecoglou has brought the good vibes back to Tottenham with his relentless attacking approach.
With the help of Fabio Paratici’s expertise, Spurs have recruited well in recent windows and even without Harry Kane, they already have several worthwhile options in attacking areas. But with a return to Europe (and potentially the Champions League) on the table, they could do worse than boosting their squad by sanctioning a reunion with Edwards.
Goncalo Inacio to Liverpool (£34m)
A transfer that initially looked on the cards last summer, Inacio to Liverpool has been heavily mooted over the past year with the Premier League giants requiring the addition of a young centre-back.Virgil van Dijk has been back to his best this season and Jarell Quansah is certainly one for the future, but with Joel Matip heading for the exit door and Ibrahima Konate becoming increasingly injury-prone, another option at centre-back would come in handy for Klopp’s successor.
Like Diomande, Inacio is far from the final product but already has plenty of experience in senior football and would benefit from a couple of seasons of learning alongside Van Dijk.
READ MORE: Mailbox… What’s going on at Liverpool? Can you fire a manager who has already resigned?
Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal (£47m)
Being this great site’s resident Championship nerd, I have watched on with great pride as ex-Coventry City striker Gyokeres has been enjoying a remarkable debut season in Portugal under Amorim.Gyokeres has a stunning tally of 36 goals and 16 assists this term and his firepower looks to be nudging Sporting towards a league and cup double.
The Sweden international has a £103m release clause in his contract so Sporting may be forced to bid a premature farewell in the summer as he has reportedly been picked as Arsenal’s ‘number one target’.
Their decision to sign Kai Havertz has panned out better than most expected but Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are still struggling in front of goal so the Gunners would certainly benefit from the arrival of a proven goalscorer as they attempt to avoid bottling it again.
Sebastian Coates to Newcastle United (£3.4m)
This is a blast from the past!Part of Liverpool’s squad during the not-so-glorious pre-Klopp era at Anfield, Coates later had a similarly underwhelming Premier League spell with Sunderland but he has rebuilt his career in the Primeira Liga with Sporting.
Having made 38 appearances this season, Coates is showing no sign of slowing down and we reckon he could stick it to Sunderland by signing for Newcastle, who have been f***ed over by injuries at centre-back.
As they continue to be impacted by FFP, they could even use some of the money earned through selling Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal or Man City on Coates, which would be bound to go down a treat at St James’ Park.
Trincao to Liverpool (£12m)
While Liverpool arguably require a centre-back above everything else, Mohamed Salah’s highly touted move to the Saudi Pro League would force them into the market for a replacement.Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Wolves’ Pedro Neto would be more expensive solutions to ease the blow of losing Salah, but former Wolves loanee Trincao could also be looked at if Liverpool fancy saving themselves some money, which is proven to be in FSG’s nature.
Formerly of Barcelona, the 24-year-old caught the eye during his previous spell in the Premier League and he has starred for Sporting this season.
The bulk of the left-footed winger’s appearances this term have come via the right flank and his 18 goal involvements stand him in good stead ahead of a potential Premier League return.
READ MORE: Chelsea finish fifth, Man Utd worse than Moyes, Man City don’t win – five daft possibilities
Arteta reserves special praise for ‘outstanding’ Arsenal star in ‘crucial’ display against Wolves
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised David Raya for his “outstanding” performance in their 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
Goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard saw the Gunners defeat Wolves and move back to the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City, who were top before the weekend, beat Chelsea 1-0 in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, while third-placed Liverpool travel to Fulham on Sunday.
Wolves had some good chances to score against Arsenal on Saturday and Raya made a brilliant save from Joao Gomes’ powerful shot at 0-0 to keep the scores level.
The game could have turned in a different direction had Raya not made the save and when asked how “crucial” that moment was, Arteta replied: “Very, because we didn’t concede anything up to that point. We had some very open situations that would have changed the game for sure.
“David was outstanding in that moment to make the save that we needed and then we took advantage.
READ MORE: Sporting CP stars reassigned after Amorim joins Liverpool: Salah successor, Arsenal land priority target
“I think he’s been very consistent throughout the whole season. The numbers are proof of that. I think the timing of the first goal was really helpful as well. Really happy.”
Arsenal and Raya could break a clean sheets record
Thanks to Raya and their backline, Arsenal have set a new club record of six consecutive clean sheets away from home with the Gunners now one away from a Premier League record held by Manchester United and Chelsea.
Raya, who has kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, can match that figure when Arsenal travel to arch-rivals Tottenham next weekend.Related video: Wolves 0 Arsenal 2 - Liam Keen and Nathan Judah analysis (Dailymotion)
Arteta added: “That’s a very difficult thing to do as a team and especially in this league. Big credit to the boys because that gives us a huge platform to win football matches.
“Now we have another big one, a big London derby against a great team that are in good form, in front of our people. Let’s do it.”
On his side’s overall display, Arteta continued: “It was really good, I really liked the performance, the result, the clean sheet but also the way individually and a team they showed they still have a step forward to make.
“We realised we want to be involved in big competitions, fighting for the Champions League, fighting for the Premier League, the level it requires, we have to do something special. You have to have that love to compete.”
READ MORE: Why rival fans are revelling in Arsenal ‘failure’ before their next Quadruple push
Each Premier League club’s most memorable FA Cup replay
The FA, in their great wisdom, have decided to scrap FA Cup replays. We’re not really sure why — just felt like it? Got bored? Powerful people should be kept busy.
FA Cup replays are regularly absolutely mint, and we’re going to miss them greatly, so we’ve dived deep into the history books to bring you one of each current Premier League club’s happiest replay memories.
Come with us, now, as we replay the replays in our mind.
Arsenal v Sheff Wed 1979, Four Replays
Multiple replays in the FA Cup proper were eliminated in 1991-92 but, up until 1997-98, qualifying round games would be replayed infinitely until there was a winner. That is obviously class. Imagine the increased jeopardy in each round.
Back in 1979, Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday took five games to decide their 3rd Round tie, before the Gunners eventually prevailed 2-0 winners at Filbert Street. Good team as well, actually — Pat Jennings, David O’Leary, Pat Rice, and Liam Brady all featured.
Aston Villa 2-1 Southampton 1969, 4th Round Replay
A quote we found from a man called Oscar Arce on the Heroes and Villains chat forum:
“I was there, it was the best and scariest atmosphere I can remember. These were the days when you literally crammed into your standing spot, as a young lad it was pretty frightening.
“When Lionel Martin’s goal went in in front of the Holte End, the crowd surged forward and I found myself carried from the back of the Holte where we stood, to the front, and had to find my way back to where my Dad and brother were standing, only to find the same had happened to them.
“The game? I think the late Peter Broadbent was superb in the match, he bossed the game.”
Bournemouth 2-2 Newcastle 1992, 3rd Round Replay (4-2 on pens)
The Toon have a habit of getting beat in FA Cup replays, and when Harry Redknapp’s Cherries held them to a draw in the first leg of the 3rd Round tie in 1992, it didn’t go well for the Geordies. Alan Thompson got sent off, and Bournemouth deserved a famous win in the shootout.Related video: Disappointing 1-0 FA Cup loss in the last 15" (Dailymotion)
Brentford 1-0 Bradford 1955, 3rd Round Replay
The programme for this game is on Google if you look for it — it’s a treasure. The players are listed in the shape of their W-M / 2-3-5 formations, and the Bees colours are described thusly:
SHIRTS: RED AND WHITE STRIPES. KNICKERS: BLACK. STOCKINGS: BLACK, RED, AND WHITE RINGED TOPS.
Brentford emerged as victors in a game played at Arsenal, presumably to fit in all the fans.
© Provided by Planet Football
READ: 8 Premier League greats we can’t believe never won the FA Cup
Newcastle 0-1 Brighton 1983, 3rd Round Replay
Another Toon FA Cup replay defeat. A 1-1 draw on the South Coast meant the Seagulls had to travel all the way to Newcastle for a replay, which they duly won 1-0 against the team from a division above them.
Brighton went on to reach the final that year in a famous cup run.
Burnley 2-0 Sunderland 2017, 3rd Round Replay
A quote from Sunderland’s Roker Report on this clash after a tight-knit first leg during the David Moyes era on Wearside:
Sunderland lost yet again this evening in an FA Cup third round replay against Burnley at Turf Moor – here’s how they rated. Warning: it’s not pretty. I’m not going to lie – that was very, very bad.
Vito Mannone and Fabio Borini were ranked 1/10. Some L’Equipe-esque ratings going on here.
Goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray — classic.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds 1970, Final Replay
This one was a f*cking bloodbath. They hated each other, Chelsea and Leeds. Bit of a North/South thing going on. Neither had won the FA Cup before, and this replay was one of the most-watched British television broadcasts of all time. Still is.
Many have this one down as the most brutal football match of all time, which isn’t surprising since Billy Bremner was playing central midfield for Leeds that day, with big Jack Charlton centre-back.
READ: How many red cards? Revisiting the brutal Chelsea vs Leeds FA Cup final
Crystal Palace 1-0 Brighton 1976, 1st Round Replay
Terry Venables and Alan Mullery couldn’t stand each other. It goes way back and it a story for another time, but just know that they f*cking hated each other.
There were controversial decisions and the Seagulls were made to retake a penalty by referee Ron Challis due to a Palace player encroaching into the penalty area. They missed the retake, because that’s how these things work.
According to WeAreBrighton.com, it all went a bit South.
“Mullery was far from impressed as he confronted “Challis of the Palace” afterwards. His mood was not improved when an Eagles fan then threw a cup of coffee at him as he headed down the tunnel. Mullery pulled a load of change out of his pocket and threw it on the floor, shouting, ‘That’s all you’re worth, Crystal Palace!’ Flicking ‘V’s at any Palace fans in the general vicinity.
“Mullery was not done there, and apparently stormed into the Palace changing room before being led away by police. The Albion boss was later fined £100 for this fantastic meltdown.”
Everton 4-4 Liverpool 1991, 5th Round Replay
An all-time classic FA Cup tie. This was the last season before multiple replays in the FA Cup proper were gotten rid of, so the tie went to a second replay, which the Toffees won 1-0.
Kenny Dalglish became so exhausted with the pressures of managing Liverpool that he resigned between the two games.
Beardsley got two, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Tony Cottee, and Graeme Sharp all on the scoresheet. Pat Nevin jinking down the wing. Superb.
READ NEXT: The 10 most watched football matches in UK television history ft. Chelsea vs Leeds…
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every club to appear in an FA Cup semi-final since 2000?
Birmingham City 0-1 Fulham 1975, Semifinal Replay
Fulham overcame the Blues to reach their first every major final in 1975. The Cottagers had some bloke called Bobby Moore playing centre-back for them. They went on to lose the final itself 2-0 to West Ham, a team Bobby was fairly familiar with.
Liverpool 3-0 Leeds 1996, Quarterfinal Replay
Proper FA Cup tie, this one. Two good teams with good players. Two classic Steve McManaman goals cutting in from the left before that was the done thing, and a cracking free kick from Robbie Fowler.
Cue the Britpop.
Norwich 0-1 Luton 1959, Semifinal Replay
Luton would go on to lose the final to Billy Walker’s Nottingham Forest. Apparently loads of players got injured in that final due to Wembley’s pitch being “too lush”. Roy Dwight broke his leg in a meaty tackle. Definitely something to do with the grass, 
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every FA Cup-winning captain since 1990?
Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City 2004, 4th Round Replay
You know a football match has been good when it gets its own Wikipedia page.
Spurs were 3-0 up at half-time, Nicolas Anelka had limped off injured within the first half hour, and Joey Barton got himself sent off for mouthing off to the officials as the teams left the pitch for half-time, because of course he did.
Ten-man pre-takeover City somehow pulled level through Sylvain Distin, Paul Bosvelt, and Shaun-Wright Phillips, before Jon Macken scored the winner in the last minute.
Scenes.
Absolute scenes.
Man United 2-1 Arsenal 1999, Semifinal Replay
Giggs gets past Vieira, past Dixon who comes back at him… it’s a wonderful run from Giggs! Sensational goal from Ryan Giggs in the second period of extra-time. He’s cut Arsenal to ribbons and the team with 10 men go back in front 2–1!
The shirt swinging around his head, the chest hair.
The chest hair.
So much chest hair.
The last ever semifinal to go to a replay. God, we’re going to miss them.
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Newcastle 2000, 5th Round Replay
Alan Shearer was returning to Ewood Park for this one, a place he was loved and won a Premier League title at. He scored two goals and gave it the big one in front of the fans. Absolute sh*thouse.
Birmingham City 0-5 Nottingham Forest 1959, 5th Round Replay
Remember Roy Dwight who broke his leg on that lush Wembley Turf? He scored in this game. As you can see, the pitch was not so lush that day.
Not lush turf.
Sheffield United 2-1 Southampton 1902, Final Replay
The Blades had legendary goalkeeper Fatty Foulkes in goal, so-named because he weighed 22 stone. Not politically correct but, to be fair, for a footballer, that is an unusual weight. Apparently he was extremely agile for his size.
Their captain was a man called Ernest ‘Nudger’ Needham. Everyone had a moustache. Just a different time, wasn’t it?
Tottenham 3-2 Man City 1981, Final Replay
City were all-British tenacity, Spurs had two Argentinians and the cultures feet of Glen Hoddle. One of those Argentines, Ricky Villa, scored one of the great FA Cup goals after slipping through the entire City defence.
West Ham 2-2 Everton 2015, 3rd Round Replay (9-8 on penalties)
The Hammers came out on top in this one, and it was f*cking brilliant.
Goalkeeper Adrian threw his gloves to the ground before taking the winning penalty. Can’t think of a more baller move. “Not gonna need these anymore once I’ve put you lot out the cup.” He’s literally still taking a glove off as he begins his run-up.
Absolutely superb.
Wolves 1-1 Sheff Wednesday 1995, 4th Round Replay (4-3 on pens)
Wolves missed their first two penalties in the shootout, yet still managed to win. Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle both failed to score with their spot kicks for Wednesday…
If you know, you know.
