‘Needs persevering’: Neville doesn’t expect United ace to become ‘one of the’ greats but is confident he can provide

As we approach the end of Rasmus Hojlund’s maiden campaign as a Manchester United player, the verdicts are mixed over how he’s fared over the past nine months.

Most United fans are keen to give the forward patience – as they should, too, given that he’s just 21 years old and has been the side’s primary striker since December 2023.

Hojlund has found the back of the net just once in his past eight outings, with his eighth Premier League goal coming against now-relegated Sheffield United in last month’s 4-2 victory.

Prior to a brief injury setback from February through to the end of March, the Dane had netted seven times in six successive matches, becoming the youngest-ever player to do so in the PL era.

The goals have since dried up upon his return, though, and that’s led to fans and pundits questioning Hojlund’s suitability for the No.9 role.

However, it must also be noted that he is simply not being provided enough service by his teammates; in the past eight games, Hojlund has had just five chances created for him in total, as per StatmanDave.

Former Red analyses Hojlund’s potential

Gary Neville is the latest to share his two pence on United’s No.11, claiming that while he may not go down in the history books of footballing greats, he certainly has the abilities to provide for the side long-term.

“I think this is a kid that needs persevering with,” the former captain began. “I looked at Ollie Watkins before. He’s not going to become an [Erling] Haaland or a [Sergio] Aguero, one of the great strikers in Premier League history, I don’t think. 

“But he can become an Ollie Watkins. You can look at someone like that, [and believe] I think I can get to 20 goals.

“I wish he was the second striker this season. I wish he was learning. I did the interview with Erik ten Hag last week [and] he mentioned Harry Kane. If he was learning off Kane now or playing with Kane, I think you’d see a completely different player.”

“Secondly, he’s 21 years of age,” Neville continued. “He’s a little bit scruffy in his work in his first season in the Premier League, and he reminds me a little bit of Darwin Nunez. He reminds me a little bit of Nicholas Jackson. 

“When you look at them, they’re projects. Manchester United, [at] this moment in time [he] is their only striker. [At] Manchester United [he] is the only striker in the club. Forget Anthony Martial. He’s not been there for years.”