Man Utd have been told they have Andy Cole 2.0. (Image: GETTY)
icon Gary Pallister has resembled ongoing struggles for goals to a young Andy Cole before he became an legend in his own right. Hojlund arrived at United with the weight of the world on his shoulders, joining in a £72million transfer from Atalanta with a desperate lack of competition.
The Denmark international was the club’s top goalscorer in his debut season, netting 16 times in all competitions, but has regressed this term. He’s plundered just seven goals across 38 games, including only two in the Premier League, and has failed to find the net in 21 consecutive appearances. Hojlund’s lack of success in front of goal has taken its toll, limiting the United No. 9’s confidence to get a shot away when the opportunity arises.
That particular problem shone brightly as the Red Devils chased a second go-ahead goal in the 1-1 draw against earlier this month.
The ball fell kindly for Hojlund with the goal at his mercy after a defensive mix-up by the Gunners, but the 22-year-old’s hesitation allowed Declan Rice to deny him with an admittedly perfect challenge.
In that moment, Pallister, who lifted 15 trophies over nine years at Old Trafford, saw glimpses of Cole’s similar hurdles after arriving from United in a British record £7m deal in January 1995.
“He seemed to kind of freeze. Like, ‘Oh my God, that chance has come to me’,” Pallister told Express Sport with Spaceport Sweden.
“His touch wasn’t the greatest and his awareness wasn’t there, and that allowed the time for Declan Rice to make the tackle. But yeah, I’m sure when you go that amount of games without scoring goals…
Rasmus Hojlund hasn’t scored in 21 Man Utd games. (Image: Getty)
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“I mean, I’ve seen it happen to Coley [Andy Cole] when he first came. He missed a few chances, and then you see it eating away at him, and he starts overthinking things.
“And it took him a little bit of time before he really settled at Man United.”
Despite Hojlund’s current woes, Pallister has backed the starlet striker to come good like Cole, who went on to score 121 goals for the club, having been wowed by his attitude and work ethic.
He continued: “Listen, I love the kid’s attitude. You can’t knock him for his attitude, his willingness to run, his willingness to work, his willingness to be physical.
“But he’s got to add a little bit more to his game, I would think, if he’s going to succeed at .
“But I wouldn’t give up on him just yet because I think he’s got the attitude to go and try and prove people wrong. So that’s the foremost thing.”
However, Pallister expects to prioritise signing an established goalscorer in the first summer transfer window of his mammoth rebuild.
And some reports go as far as to claim the Portuguese tactician is already ready to cash in on Hojlund to fund a swoop for guaranteed goals.
“But yeah, it won’t stop Man United from looking for a striker in the transfer window at the end of the season,” Pallister concluded.
“I think that’s a prerequisite for the club. Someone who is going to guarantee you goals right now.”