Ten Hag to blame for Hojlund error

Cameron Smith

• 8 Oct 2024 15:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Ollie Watkins in 2023, in favour of bringing Rasmus Hojlund to the club.

The Red Devils were in desperate need of a new number nine last summer and they were linked with a host of top players, including Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney.

Villa star Watkins was also under “serious consideration,” but Man Utd decided to sign Hojlund instead, according to ESPN.

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The Old Trafford outfit reportedly viewed the Denmark international as a better long-term investment, while he was deemed better value for money, despite costing a whopping €73.9 million.

Hojlund registered 16 goals during his debut campaign at Man Utd, largely thanks to a purple patch just after Christmas, although he only has one goal in five appearances so far this season.

Watkins, on the other hand, has 47 goals and assists since the start of 2023-24, while he netted the winner during England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands at this summer’s European Championship.

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Furthermore, he remains Aston Villa’s first-choice number nine, despite competition from super sub Jhon Duran, and Hojlund is yet to establish himself as a top Premier League striker.

Erik ten Hag reportedly played a key role in Hojlund’s arrival and the Dutchman was eager to bring in the Dane, even though signing Watkins was a possibility.

What has Erik ten Hag said?

While the decision to sign Hojlund over Watkins was undoubtedly a poor one, Ten Hag still has faith in Man Utd’s number 9.

However, after the club’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, the ex-Ajax boss admitted that Man Utd need to score more goals.

"We know at this moment we have a lack of goals, in that perspective it's not a good start, we have to step up," Ten Hag said.

"That's an area we have to improve. But we have four clean sheets. That's good because we have to defend properly.

"We create loads of chances in our seven games but we have to step up. We have to take into consideration [Rasmus] Hojlund is returning, he's still coming up to full fitness, but others are stepping up."