Erik ten Hag defends Rasmus Højlund after ludicrous Man United report

Erik ten Hag has defended the signing of Rasmus Højlund after reports of senior player dissatisfaction emerged on Monday afternoon.

When Manchester United signed Ramsus Højlund for a fee of £72 million last summer, many thought he would be drip-fed into the team, considering the young striker’s lack of experience.

However, multiple injuries to Anthony Martial have left the now 21-year-old as the club’s only fit senior striker, and the Danish international has had to adapt to Premier League life very quickly.

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Højlund has 14 goals during his debut campaign as United’s new No. 11 but has suffered from multiple goalscoring droughts after inconsistencies behind him on the pitch have left him starving for chances.

Speaking ahead of the club’s tie against Newcastle United, Erik ten Hag launched a defence for Rasmus Højlund following a rather ludicrous report from Manchester Evening News writer Samuel Luckhurst that some senior United players did not want to pass to him during games.

“He has had three injuries this season, but still, as you say, he scored 14 goals this season,” Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “I think that’s a very good record for a young player.

“Also, when we decided to go for him, we talked about earlier that we buy a player, of course, for this season and also for the future. He has to develop, he has to progress, he needs time, and sometimes it goes up and down.

“Before winter, he struggled to get his first Premier League goal, but you see, he is a very strong character. Sometimes you have downs, but I am sure he will fight his way. He is very eager for every match to return to his form, and I am more confident. He’s close.”

He added that he feels United should have signed another striker but that financial restrictions made this impossible.

“So last season, we had the goalscorer with 30, so we add one extra striker to our squad. So we were quite confident when you are third in the league, you are in two finals and you win one final, if you then add one striker then your transfer policy is right.”