Manchester United’s young Danish striker Rasmus Højlund has been making waves since his big-money move, but not necessarily for the right reasons. His alarmingly low shot numbers have raised eyebrows and sparked a heated debate among fans and pundits alike.
Shots Fired: Strikers’ Shooting Stats Revealed
The Premier League is a battlefield where strikers wage war with their shooting prowess. Yet, amidst the barrage of shots, one player stands out for his reluctance to pull the trigger – Rasmus Højlund. With a mere 1.20 shots per 90 minutes, the Danish marksman ranks a dismal 139th among Premier League players, trailing behind a staggering 187 outfield players who have played at least 1,200 minutes. Even defenders and holding midfielders, whose primary duties seldom involve venturing into the opposition’s penalty area, have outgunned Højlund in this crucial statistic.
Højlund’s Shooting Woes: A Symptom or the Cause?
While goals aren’t the be-all and end-all for a center forward, Højlund’s shooting reticence could be the root cause of Manchester United’s struggles in finding the back of the net. With a mere 28 goals scored, only four teams in the Premier League have mustered fewer goals than the Red Devils this season. In stark contrast, the league’s elite marksmen have been raining shots down on opposition goalkeepers. Erling Haaland leads the charge with a staggering 3.82 shots per 90, followed closely by Nicolas Jackson (3.24), Ollie Watkins (3.26), Alexander Isak (3.09), Luis Díaz (2.71), Darwin Núñez (2.60), and Dominic Solanke (2.59). Even the much-maligned Kai Havertz averages a respectable 2.54 shots per 90 – more than double Højlund’s tally.
System Failure or Individual Struggle?
The question on everyone’s lips is whether Højlund’s shooting woes stem from Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup or are an individual issue. At first glance, the 3-4-2-1 system employed by the United manager doesn’t seem to be the culprit. After all, Amorim’s former charges at Sporting CP, Viktor Gyökeres (4.59 shots per 90) and Joshua Zirkzee (1.96), boasted far superior shot numbers. Furthermore, Højlund’s shot statistics have been underwhelming across his previous clubs, including Sturm Graz (2.10) and Atalanta (2.65), as well as under Erik ten Hag’s tutelage (1.40 shots per 90).
Højlund at the Crossroads: Adapt or Be Replaced?
While a center forward’s role extends beyond mere shooting, Højlund’s reluctance to pull the trigger raises legitimate concerns. Is he failing to find himself in shooting positions? Does he lack the confidence to let fly? Or is he simply not receiving the right service from his teammates? These are questions that demand answers, and the onus falls squarely on Højlund’s shoulders to address this glaring deficiency. Ruben Amorim, too, must grapple with United’s issues in the final third, devising tactics to unleash Højlund’s shooting potential. And if the Danish striker’s shot and goal numbers fail to improve, the club may be forced to explore alternative options, lest their attacking prowess continue to sputter and stall.
