Teddy Sheringham has suggested that Manchester United would never have signed Rasmus Hojlund under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hojlund, who joined United from Atalanta in a £72million deal last summer, had an impressive debut season at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old striker scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Red Devils, including five in the Champions League.
However, Sheringham, speaking to BoyleSports who offer the latest Euro 2024 betting, expressed his belief that Hojlund's arrival was due to United's inability to attract top-tier players like Harry Kane, who ended up moving from Spurs to Bayern Munich. The former England international also suggested that if Sir Alex Ferguson was still at the helm, the signing of Hojlund might not have taken place.
"First and foremost, the signing of Rasmus Hojlund comes from United's failure to not compete for the players at the very top level last summer, like Harry Kane," Sheringham said. "Years ago under Sir Alex, the club would've been in the hunt for Harry Kane and other players at the very top level who perform week in and week out."
Despite his views, Sheringham has lauded Hojlund for his tireless efforts and commitment in a season where many of his team-mates have failed to show the same level of dedication. He feels that while the Dane has "done okay", United have had to settle for a second-best option with the former Atalanta forward.
"They bought a second best in Hojlund. I think he has done okay, he works hard and has to feed off scraps," Sheringham commented, before praising Hojlund's youth and commendable work ethic. "Overall I think he has done okay and United should be thankful that he works so hard and you can't forget that he is still young and learning his way."
Hojlund's performance has been defended by Gary Neville, who believes the lack of 'stability' at Old Trafford hasn't helped the striker settle into the club. The 21-year-old also "stood up" during challenging times last season, according to the former United full-back.
"I think he has done well," Neville said while providing punditry on ITV for Euro 2024. "When you think about what Manchester United have done to players in the last 10 years, they've broken seasoned internationals who have signed for big money," he added.
"The lack of stability in the club over the last 12 months, all the changes, particularly up at the top, they've got basically no centre-forwards other than him, but he scored 16 goals in 35 starts and most of all, he stood up that kid. During the tough times in the season he was the one who I thought 'what a personality he's got.' That's all you need."
Hojlund is currently with the Danish squad at Euro 2024 and will be preparing to face England on Thursday in their second group stage fixture. The striker was a big performer in qualifying, scoring seven goals to help Denmark top their group.
However, despite his form dipping lately where he has scored just once in his last eight internationals, his national team manager Kasper Hjulmand has addressed the forward's struggles. He suggested Hojlund is going through a "phase" and that his ability to always make an "impression" in games will see him through.
"It comes in phases. Sometimes you have this period where you score a lot of goals," Hjulmand said. "But thankfully Rasmus always makes a big impression in every game. He's dangerous and he's fully motivated but he always makes a difference, which is the most important thing."
Davichi
1
Sheringham wants to talk but I guess he doesn't listen closely enough. He's on point that United are failing to attract top players but that's not why Højlund was signed. ETH has already said that the plan was to bring in both Kane and Højlund but they couldn't get Kane. Højlund was supposed to be an understudy to Kane and not to led the lines.
Bouaeiosuy
0
Hojlund is a good player, the problem is ETH playing style
adexbi
0
na our player he is trying no be all players dey shine in dere first season leave him alone dis pundits sometimes suppose to dey chop slap
Blvckmvn
0
Atalanta robbed man u thats sure
21 years of age, highest man utd goal scorer in the champion league debut campaign with a struggling man utd and aslso scoring 10 goals in the debut premier league with shambolic man utd and always on his feet despite receiving assists or passes in the final third of tbe pitch,always dropping back to help defence and same time win balls and carry ball all the way struggling to earn those hard goals by a 21 year old only in his first time in premier league with a team of greedy teammates!? Hojlund is the best young attacker of his peers.
locabdeipu
0
No more signing of expensive players who end up being flops. Players should be rewarded good wages based on performance.
DeeMwanza
0
Thank you. Am so sick and tired of these so called legends
same ....
BOGEREIVAN
1
Atalanta robbed man u thats sure
rebdklmntz
1
come to chelsea
ladhajunior
3
no guys teddy is ryt coz man u is a big club and gr8 history man u need top player i mean big name but we dnt bleam the coach the problem is the boad of club is the reason for united failure every season
jukacikuy
4
this is Ten hag not sir Alex Ferguson
Vunbcdprs
5
man United legends are the most stupid people
Katendah
7
Been jealous of someone's work won't do you any good. Busy saying trash about Hojlund, what did you deliver the time you played as compared to Hojlund who was bought to learn and generate into a striker he can be. He is young and can still be better than your so called past strikers you glorify, as if they just started outscoring without passing through any problems Leave the current squad alone and just watch
Punbcdst
2
He needs time only, but not comparing him with others.Never the less am tired with these called legends
KIINGKREZZ
0
These legends talk so much why dont they become agents and than persuade players to join United
KIINGKREZZ
2
Is Sir Alex the current coach ? Stay in the present and get out of the past.
hipimnost
1
these people must know that there's an end to everything why still comparing sir Alex Ferguson era and nowadays football.....
Thank you. Am so sick and tired of these so called legends
DeeMwanza
1
these people must know that there's an end to everything why still comparing sir Alex Ferguson era and nowadays football.....
snapsv
0
how is 16 goals in 43 games considered to be an impressive return?
Impressive because he scored 9 goals last season, now coming to the premier league for the 1st time and scoring 16 goals is impressive. Don’t you get it? Or you are too blind to understand ?
Dapaepru
0
I am a Citizen, United now are not the United of yesteryears, everyone can see that. There's no need dwelling on what was, when still in process, look into present and see how you can be great again in the future. All these clueless United legends aren't doing any good for the current team, as if any of them have been successful in coaching a team.
Thanks for the fact
ANK3430
6
I am a Citizen, United now are not the United of yesteryears, everyone can see that. There's no need dwelling on what was, when still in process, look into present and see how you can be great again in the future. All these clueless United legends aren't doing any good for the current team, as if any of them have been successful in coaching a team.
lohbekpuy
2
how is 16 goals in 43 games considered to be an impressive return?
Kesadlor
1
good signings for manU as he does not trouble other clubs
FootballRealist
3
Sherri contradicted himself a bit there to show face…1st the kid was brought in with an impression of not playing every game and to grow into the squad..but hey with injuries what can you expect…as majority of the fan base knows, who plays ST, plays the graveyard shift as our wonderful wings do not pass the fcking ball..16 goals was typically created by the kid himself..to say SAF would of never bought him is a total joke as SAF invested in young talented players who had a squad that could nurture him, where we do not have that type of calibration nor do we have the infrastructure..so these ex players can take a hike..if the kid was English it would of been a different story
ciycekmpr
0
He is right. Not even Aston Villa would move for him. Waste of money. Man u should be getting quality like Mbappe, Barella, Bellingham, Kane, Musiala, Pedri, Oshimen etc... Not settle for seria reject
so Bellingham came from Manchester city?his route was Birmingham city,a club below Atalanta in 100 ways.. sometimes u find players
SMHellas
0
He is right. Not even Aston Villa would move for him. Waste of money. Man u should be getting quality like Mbappe, Barella, Bellingham, Kane, Musiala, Pedri, Oshimen etc... Not settle for seria reject
Fergie always bought promising young players and had some success doing it. Some of his best business was Solskjaer for £1.5 million. He just wouldn't have paid top dollar for him
SMHellas
0
I disagree Shezza, they just would not have paid top dollar like Murtough did
Yohciklst
1
He is right. Not even Aston Villa would move for him. Waste of money. Man u should be getting quality like Mbappe, Barella, Bellingham, Kane, Musiala, Pedri, Oshimen etc... Not settle for seria reject