Manchester United could be on the brink of forming a partnership that rivals the iconic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney from their glory days at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag, the United manager, has emphasized the need for attacking improvement this season, and this could be achieved with the combination of Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund.
Bruno Fernandes has evolved into one of Europe’s top midfielders since joining United for £47 million in January 2020. Since the 2020/21 season’s beginning, the 29-year-old has created more chances than any other Premier League player, amassing 317 chances, which surpasses Kevin De Bruyne by 51 and Trent Alexander-Arnold by 70.
Despite Fernandes’ remarkable contributions, United has often struggled to convert chances into goals, impacting the team’s overall performance. Fernandes has been instrumental, tallying 65 goals and 55 assists in 189 appearances for the Red Devils. His excellence extends to international duty, where he has scored 17 goals and provided 16 assists in 59 caps for Portugal.
In contrast, Rasmus Hojlund, a 20-year-old striker signed for £72 million, is relatively inexperienced. However, he possesses an innate ability to find the back of the net, physicality, and impressive athleticism, hinting at his untapped potential. Hojlund’s international performances are equally impressive, with six goals in his first seven caps for Denmark.
Hojlund currently shares the top spot for goalscorers in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying alongside Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku. His ability to perform on the big stage is evident, and at United, he will have plenty of opportunities to do so.
While Fernandes may only be at his peak for a few more years, Hojlund is poised to lead the line for United for the next decade. With his natural goal-scoring instincts and the backing of a global powerhouse like United, he is expected to make an immediate impact, especially considering his status as the club’s most expensive-ever striker.
