I’ve told a Manchester United star to ‘become more angry’ – he must listen to me

Dimitar Berbatov has explained that he feels Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund needs to become more angry at his teammates while in possession.

Rasmus Højlund has scored two goals since his return from an injury that kept him out for the first six weeks of Manchester United‘s 2024/25 season.

Højlund signed for the Old Trafford club during Erik ten Hag‘s second window in charge, commanding a fee of around £72 million from Serie A club Atalanta.

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He went on to score 16 goals during his maiden campaign, ending as the club’s top scorer, but his season was littered with multiple injuries.

After the 2024 European Championships, the 21-year-old Danish international returned to the club, but after scoring in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal during his first game back, he suffered a two-month-long hamstring injury.

However, with Højlund now fit and having returned to the starting XI, he has scored two goals in his last three starts and has impressed many.

Berbatov’s advice to Højlund

Dimitar Berbatov knows plenty about being a Manchester United striker, being the club’s No. 9 between 2008 and 2012. The Bulgarian scored 56 goals during his four seasons at the club and was the Premier League’s joint-top scorer in the 2010/11 campaign.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his podcast, Berbatov handed some advice to Højlund, explaining that the player needs to become more angry and demanding at his teammates.

“I think, as a striker, he needs to be more demanding and arguing,” the Bulgarian explained.

“Not being so nice and just pushing the buttons of some of the players around him. Like, ‘Give me the ball’, asking for the ball, when the ball is not coming because I can see that he was doing some runs behind the defence and then nobody was seeing him.

“That should make you angry – you have a point to be angry after this one.”

This is an advice that Højlund must listen to. He has the trust of his teammates that he can score – his 18 goals so far reflect this. However, his best moments often go missing in a Red shirt because he does not demand the ball enough.

Listening to Berbatov, one of the great strikers of the 21st century at Old Trafford, would do him wonders.

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