A recent feature comparing statistics on Man United's Rasmus Hojlund and Man City's Erling Haaland has drawn ire from supporters.
The Norwegian had a blistering start to Premier League life in the blue half of Manchester, whilst the Danish striker has taken a while to get used to English football, before becoming the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games.
Their respective fortunes in front of goal have been closely scrutinised, but fans think Sky Sports were guilty of 'mad business' by choosing to compare the two No. 9's, presumably in part because of their similar names, and for 'bashing' Hojlund just as he's started to find his goalscoring boots.
The feature begins with a focus on their first 20 Premier League appearances, based on stats provided by Opta.
Haaland had a blistering start to life in England's top flight when he joined Man City from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 25 goals, and making three assists in just 20 games.
Hojlund was slower off the mark, but has now risen to seven goals and two assists in English league football since joining from Atalanta in the summer of 2023.
It means the Dane has an average of 210 minutes per Premier League goal, compared to just 66 minutes for the Norwegian hot-shot's stunning start.
The pair have a similar number of chances made, but Haaland's 33.8% conversion rate puts him significant above Hojlund's percentage, which is 24.7%.
The Man United striker has an xG total of 6.5, whilst Haaland had an xG of 17 for his first 20 games, and one fan of the Red Devils noted that this was an important number to focus on, as it highlighted the difference between the two sides.
One Man United fan wrote on X (fka Twitter): 'Only one stat to look out for on that graphic.. xG. Only 6.5xG amassed by Hojlund in his first 20 games, which outlines the problem.. service!
'Haaland 17xG. Stays between the lines and has countless goalscoring opportunities per game.'
Since Christmas, the numbers have been significantly different for both parties - and whilst Haaland has been recovering from an injury, it is positive news for Hojlund.
Since Christmas, Hojlund has seven Premier League goals from his six games, and an xG of 3.47.
Haaland has scored three goals in his five league games since December 25, but has an xG of 4, as well as one assist.
It means Hojlund is currently converting a goal every 75 minutes of game time, and finishing with a 64% conversion rate, whilst Haaland's is a goal every 125 minutes of playing time, and his conversion rate is down at 13%.
'Why do sky sports want to find a way to bash a young lad who's hit some form?', asked one United fan, following the comparison.
They added: 'Comparing him to the best goal scorer in the world who gets about 8 chances a match when Hojlund still feeding off scraps'.
Others concurred, with one writing: 'This even makes what hojlund is doing more impressive imo'
''Absolute criminal to even compare both of them,' protested another fan. 'One plays for the best club in the word [sic] and another one barely even getting a chance created for him'.
Even Manchester City fans were not amused, with one claiming: 'This is like comparing Pele and Peter Crouch'.
And following all the debate about which striker is better - and the impact they have made on the Premier League in their opening appearances - one fan said: 'I understand their names are similar but comparing Haaland to Hojlund is mad business my guy.'
Another said: 'We should enjoy them both instead of all this comparisons'.
Sixth-placed Manchester United host Fulham on Saturday afternoon, hours before third-placed Man City play Bournemouth.
riaankhan91
0
They are thou, u just d riding bcz he white, am yet to see him make a pass
What are you saying
Sofreshh
0
Simple goals?! Go get ur eyes checked, the boys goals are not served up on platter
They are thou, u just d riding bcz he white, am yet to see him make a pass
pythagorasofficial
0
Accept the fact KDB is far superior to Bruno, and what state are you talking about Bruno having in United? State without justification
Read again
nellomcfc
0
Lol. I know KDB is a better player than Bruno. But since Bruno came to the PL, KDB never matched his stats. Go check it without being biased.
Accept the fact KDB is far superior to Bruno, and what state are you talking about Bruno having in United? State without justification
Beudknruz
1
hojlund is nothing haaland he is a machine
riaankhan91
0
They are defender mistakes for simple tap ins.,, he hasn’t scored a goal outside the penalty box to be regarded as good striker
No point in arguing with because you don’t watch United’s games, you talking through ur arse
Sofreshh
0
Simple goals?! Go get ur eyes checked, the boys goals are not served up on platter
They are defender mistakes for simple tap ins.,, he hasn’t scored a goal outside the penalty box to be regarded as good striker
pythagorasofficial
0
Same way united fans keep comparing Bruno to Kelvin, two parallel lines that won't meet
Lol. I know KDB is a better player than Bruno. But since Bruno came to the PL, KDB never matched his stats. Go check it without being biased.
Daphoenix23
5
Why are these EPL witchcraft media trying so hard to make an argument with these two? They are miles apart, Haaland is 24 and a proven and established goal scorer from Salzburg to Dortmund to City and Hojlund us just starting his career and doesn’t even have to 50 careers goals and just turned 21. It’s absurd the media are desperately trying to feast of this story comparing two players as if to create a rivalry like they did with Ronaldo and Messi…
riaankhan91
0
Simple ass goals am yet to see any talent
Simple goals?! Go get ur eyes checked, the boys goals are not served up on platter
fazacepty
1
whoever came out with this comparison must be out of his senses, u can't compare the two while we all know that one Haaland was sorounded by very kind players who are well trained by a mature coach whom are good enough in terms of team work to which is the main key for success while the other one Hojlund has been sorounded by selfish young teammates who have no idea of team work, always busy running without passing the ball provided they impress there coach who is full of petty issues with players. so Hojlund would be far better than Haaland if he was at Liverpool or Gunners, but with united the guy has even tried to find the net, sometimes he is always a lone
I hate when someone with football knowledge talk like this? Better management is what keeps city moving Stop saying halland is surrounded by world class United players are all footballers that’s their jobs
fazacepty
0
Mancity ain’t 3rd place
@af please correct the last sentence
fazacepty
2
Mancity ain’t 3rd place
niwdekstu
1
absolutely. Rasmus definitely will scores more than he is now if he is in City team
shut TF up how many goals did Jesus scored from man City and likewise how many goals did hojlund scores for Atalanta, go back and check how many goals haaland has score at Salzburg and Dortmund before agreeing with someone who just wrote rubbish
niwdekstu
1
you're not getting it halaand has gained attention fine, but put hodlund in a city team and come back and tell me what you think.
u talking trash Jesus didn't even score up to 15 EPL goals during all his stay at man City, haaland came and banged 36 goals and u are here comparing him with hojlund, get this right, hojlund at man City won't even score up to twenty goals in all competition and mind u haaland has been doing this since he came to city while hojlund just scored 10 goals for Atalanta in 36 appearance is too poor for such striker to be compared with haaland
Sofreshh
1
Simple ass goals am yet to see any talent
muhceilrst
0
Rasmus Hodlund has a long way to go before comparing him to erling halaad
I too think if Hojlund was in the city team , his record would be amazing by now, there is more than team in the city team something that Hojlund has found it hard to enjoy at united
nellomcfc
1
you're not getting it halaand has gained attention fine, but put hodlund in a city team and come back and tell me what you think.
Haaland have been scoring goals in his previous clubs not just City
nellomcfc
5
Same way united fans keep comparing Bruno to Kelvin, two parallel lines that won't meet
muhceilrst
5
whoever came out with this comparison must be out of his senses, u can't compare the two while we all know that one Haaland was sorounded by very kind players who are well trained by a mature coach whom are good enough in terms of team work to which is the main key for success while the other one Hojlund has been sorounded by selfish young teammates who have no idea of team work, always busy running without passing the ball provided they impress there coach who is full of petty issues with players. so Hojlund would be far better than Haaland if he was at Liverpool or Gunners, but with united the guy has even tried to find the net, sometimes he is always a lone
AdrianShion
1
you're not getting it halaand has gained attention fine, but put hodlund in a city team and come back and tell me what you think.
absolutely. Rasmus definitely will scores more than he is now if he is in City team
veecmpsuz
1
what are we comparing these two for? 😂 i thought it was a joke at first because of their names but now people really want to compare?? 😅
Kfivekid
1
Rasmus Hodlund has a long way to go before comparing him to erling halaad
you're not getting it halaand has gained attention fine, but put hodlund in a city team and come back and tell me what you think.
zancdimstu
7
Rasmus Hodlund has a long way to go before comparing him to erling halaad
brendanobi2
6
this media should stop this comparison and allow my star boy to grow on the job pls
viuiortuyz
5
comparing them is a total madness