“We almost sold him for free in January but now he’s our best player at the moment and yesterday he did what we’ve not seen this season…He’s not leaving this team anymore”: Manchester United’s owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe amazed by ONE United player’s performance yesterday, blocks his pending transfer
Manchester United took a huge step forward toward salvaging their season with an expectation-defying win against Athletic Club at San Mames.
The 3-0 win away from home sets the tone for a return leg at Old Trafford where Man Utd can just be professional and see the game out.
Casemiro scored once and Bruno Fernandes helped himself to a brace, while Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte’s creative exploits were the talk of the town after the game.
However, Ruben Amorim reserved special praise for one player who didn’t score or assist but still had his ‘best game’ yet under Amorim.
Man Utd star’s ‘best game’ under Ruben Amorim
Amorim is learning more about the strengths and weaknesses of his players with time and that’s translating to better performances on the pitch.
Even the players who struggled massively earlier in his tenure, like Casemiro, have proven him wrong and re-established themselves in the first-team fray.
One player hasn’t had the luxury to rediscover himself and has had to effectively play his way out of the rut and against Athletic, he took a huge step forward.
Despite not scoring or assisting, Ruben Amorim raved about Rasmus Hojlund’s all-around striker player where he showed great hold-up skills, won a penalty with a smart run, and proved to be a nuisance the whole game.
Amorim said: “It’s hard to say but I think it was the best game that he had with me as a coach. He helped the team a lot. He secured the ball, made the runs, decided quite well [in the final third] so it is a good moment for him.”
Rasmus Hojlund’s skills developing
United always knew they were buying a young and raw striker with potential but just how raw he was took many people by surprise.
If he didn’t score, he was an anonymous presence and even a net negative at times because the runs he would make or press he would trigger would go against the system.
In recent games, he has scored only once, against Bournemouth, but his all-around game is showing development which will eventually make him a better player.
A striker is judged on goals and he still hasn’t scored anywhere near enough but if he’s helping the team be better with his presence, he’ll get a longer rope, and the goals will come as a byproduct of good play.
His skills are developing and Amorim seems to be a striker whisperer so United would be remiss if they let go of the player who has vast untapped potential but is now taking steps toward realising it.
