Manchester United’s summer transfer business was a surprise, but Erik ten Hag’s decision to turn to Rasmus Hojlund could prove to be a masterstroke, according to Lee Sharpe. The former United winger has hailed two of Ten Hag’s recruits in another big-spending transfer window.
United splashed around £190million to take the investment in the Dutchman’s project at Old Trafford to over £400m.
But he didn’t have it all his own way after identifying Harry Kane as his priority striker target at the start of the window.
United quickly moved on after Tottenham Hotspur showed reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival, with an array of alternative options.
Ten Hag insisted on pursuing Hojlund, though, despite his inexperience compared to other options, sanctioning a £72m deal for the 20-year-old.
Hojlund has scored three goals in his first eight United appearances, all of which came in the club’s two Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
And Sharpe loves what he’s seen from the Denmark international so far, hailing five attributes that he brings to the centre of United’s frontline.
“It was surprising, some of the signings,” Sharpe, an American Golf ambassador, told Express Sport.
“Hojlund could potentially be a really, really good signing. His energy levels, the way he plays the game, he’s a very forward thinker, he’s very direct, he likes to make chances on his own.
“If he can put chances away that are created for him… He probably looks the most exciting and most promising out of all the signings.”
Ten Hag also pushed United to sign a second midfielder after completing a £60m move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
The Dutchman wanted competition for Casemiro in defensive midfield but was made to wait until United could raise funds before striking on deadline day.
His preferred choice was clear – Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. And despite some disagreement among United’s ranks, the club trusted his judgement.
Amrabat arrived on a season-long loan worth around £8m, with the option to make the move permanent for £22m next summer.
And Sharpe has high hopes that the 27-year-old Moroccan can provide what United have missed in midfield while Casemiro has been absent or out of form.
He added: “Sofyan Amrabat looks pretty handy as well from what I saw at the World Cup, so we’ll see if he can get up to pace for the Premier League as soon as possible.”
