Eriksen 'can see' Hojlund at Manchester United

Stuart Telford

• 18 Jun 2023 07:32 BST
• 3 min read

Christian Eriksen has backed Denmark international teammate Rasmus Hojlund to join him at Manchester United this summer as the Red Devils look move away from a Harry Kane transfer.

A new No.9 is a priority at Old Trafford this summer. Wout Weghorst failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo's goals at the point of their attack last season, and although Marcus Rashford hit 30 in all competitions, he prefers lining up on the left.

Kane was understood to be United's top target for the position, but Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is a famously difficult negotiator who is loath to sell the England captain to a Premier League rival.

READ: Who is Rasmus Hojlund? The Atalanta wonderkid Man Utd, Arsenal and Real Madrid want

It is understood that Erik ten Hag and Co. have shifted their sights to Atalanta striker Hojlund, who is nearly 10 years Kane's junior, would cost significantly less, and has drawn comparisons with Manchester City and Norway goal-machine Erling Haaland.

Eriksen: 'He's developed brilliantly'

"I can see him at Manchester United," Eriksen admitted to Ekstra Bladet ahead of Denmark's 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying. "But I haven't recommended him to Erik ten Hag.

"He is a fantastic guy and a good player and has really developed brilliantly at Atalanta. [But] what the club ends up doing, I will not be able to answer."

READ: Man Utd's FIVE-MAN striker shortlist includes 40-goal Premier League star

Hojlund scored 16 goals and added seven assists in 42 games in all competitions last season, and had a goal-involvement of one 111 minutes he played.

The 20-year-old is valued at €24 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, but it is understood Atalanta are holding out for a club record €100m - which remains less than what Kane would cost.

Hojlund is 6'3", left-footed forward who can break at pace, hence the Haaland comparisons, and his 11 progressive passes received per game in Serie A last season were a league high, and testament to his ability to find space in attacking areas.