Anthony Martial might be the hapless winner of Manchester United’s most recent injury scare.
When Manchester United gambled on Rasmus Hojlund during the summer transfer window, they were taking a chance. If it is a wise choice, that much is yet unknown.
Hojlund has reminded people of how raw he is, but he has also displayed flashes of the skill that could one day make him a world-class striker. He has a great deal of potential, but it’s only potential.
He must be appropriately nurtured and handled in order to fulfill it. Overplaying him always carries the risk of hurting him or putting too much strain on him, which he just cannot handle.
It has been predicted thus far. In certain games, Hojlund has been outstanding; in others, he has been nameless. It is to be expected from a 20-year-old striker who is fresh to the Premier League, but he is being evaluated based on a cost, goal total, and consistency level that he would never be able to achieve at such a young age in his career.
The problem for United isn’t the man they signed; rather, it’s the lack of encouragement he has received. If things had gone according to plan, he would have been signed with a more seasoned attacker, but instead he gets to lead it each week.
When United plays its next game after the international break, the conundrum might become even more clear. After sustaining a muscular strain during the win against Luton, Hojlund should be back before the end of the month, though he might not be 100% fit for the trip to Everton on November 26.
