Former coach explains Rasmus Højlund and Erling Haaland comparisons

A former coach of both Erling Haaland and Rasmus Højlund has explained the comparisons between the two Premier League players.

Current Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has spoken about why Norweigan striker Erling Haaland and Danish forward Rasmus Højlund have been receiving comparisons in the media.

Højlund signed for Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United for a total of £72 million from Atalanta, with the 20-year-old being immediately compared to Manchester City‘s Haaland.

Read More: Manchester United handed three positive injury updates ahead of Sheffield United clash

Haaland had joined the Premier League in 2022 for a fee of £52 million after Manchester City activated the release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract at the time. He has since scored a total of 60 goals in 66 appearances for City, smashing the record for most goals in a single Premier League season, scoring 36 goals in 25 appearances.

Solbakken currently manages Haaland as the national coach of Norway and has previously coached Højlund as FC Copenhagen’s manager in 2020.

Speaking to TV2 on why the comparisons between the two players exist, Solbakken said: “It will probably come because he plays in red and Erling in blue. It is not so easy for him at the start, but Højlund has had an okay start at United.

“Højlund has the physical package to cope in the Premier League, and he has already shown it internationally in the Danish national team.”

Højlund has scored three goals for United so far, all in the Champions League, but is tipped to score his first Premier League goal in the coming weeks as his importance within Ten Hag’s team rises.