Michael Owen: Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund could 'surprise' people

Owen believes the young forward "could surprise people" positively as he continues his development at the club.

Hojlund, who turned 21 earlier this year, joined Manchester United from Atalanta in August 2023.

The initial transfer fee of £64 million, which could rise to £72 million with add-ons, underscored the club's belief in him as their chief goal-scorer.

Despite a challenging start to his first season due to injuries and Manchester United's collective struggles, Hojlund managed to score 16 goals.

This tally was considered respectable for a player of his age and experience, offering a glimpse of his potential.

The current season has seen Hojlund face more obstacles, including a pre-season injury.

However, he has already scored seven goals in 17 appearances, five of which have come in the Europa League, where he is the joint-top scorer. These performances have raised hopes that he could exceed last season's tally as the campaign progresses.

"People can have an opinion based on what they've seen in the last year or so, but with a new manager, more chances already," Owen told the Manchester Evening News. "He's scored a couple of goals and he has showed signs of being decent.

"He certainly looks like he's got a great attitude and a great work ethic, he didn't look like a goalscoring machine for the last year.

"However, he has scored a couple of goals already under Amorim and he might be one of these players that all of a sudden just turns inside out with a new way of playing and players around him being better, and all these things could just happen for him.

"When I'm trying to judge players, if I was on the telly at the moment, I would hate to nail my colours to the mast with a Manchester United player.

"If you've got a judgment over the last handful of years on the Manchester United player, and you're sticking to that, I think you're in dangerous territory because, once somebody gets it right, and once a better player joins, and once everyone gets used to the system and everything else, then, as I say, I think there'll be a handful of players that surprise a lot of people.

"When things start going right for Manchester United, and it's only a matter of time, there will be a few players that absolutely turn inside out and may surprise people. He could be one of them.

"I know people aren't saying he's rubbish or useless or anything else like that. I think people are still undecided, but I think he has the potential to be one of those who just could surprise people and be very good." 

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