What else does Højlund have to hope for?

Højlund salvaged a point for Manchester United, but the big question remains unanswered: "Does Man United need him?".

Rasmus Højlund admitted that "that goal was needed" after scoring the 96th-minute equalizer in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last weekend. It was the Danish forward's second goal for Manchester United in 2025, but it also served as a reminder of the big question everyone is asking: Does Manchester United really need Højlund?

Højlund's belated effort

Manchester United are on track for their worst Premier League season in history. Under Ruben Amorim, who was appointed to replace Erik Ten Hag in November, the team has yet to stop its downward spiral.

One of the most worrying statistics for Manchester United this season is their goal tally. After 34 Premier League games, they have only scored 39 goals – just six more than relegated Ipswich. In Premier League history, only once before has Man United finished a season with fewer than 50 goals, and that was in the 2015/16 season under Louis van Gaal, when they scored only 49 and he was sacked shortly after winning the FA Cup.

To avoid repeating this pattern, Manchester United need to score at least 11 goals in their remaining four matches of the season. However, in their last nine games, they have only managed 11 goals, which shows that their attack is facing significant problems.

Højlund's crucial last-minute goal saved Man United from defeat at Bournemouth, but could that be a sign that he will be the savior of the club's attack in the future? That's a question both fans and the coaching staff need to consider.

Højlund is struggling to regain his form.

The goal against Bournemouth was the former Atalanta striker's fourth in 29 Premier League games this season, a statistic that is hardly enough to satisfy a team currently struggling with an attacking line.

On Instagram after the match, Højlund wrote: "We wanted to win, but I needed that goal." However, Højlund's goal tally this season (4 goals) is only equal to the number of goals Marcus Rashford scored before joining Aston Villa on loan in February.

While Højlund is struggling to regain his form, other players like Bruno Fernandes (8 goals), Alejandro Garnacho (5 goals), and the injured duo of Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee (both with 9 goals) have also failed to make a difference. This highlights the sad reality that Man United is lacking a true center forward who can score consistently and solve the team's attacking problems.

However, Højlund remains the player attracting the most attention. The 22-year-old, whom Manchester United paid £72 million to buy from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, has had a disappointing season. Despite a strong start with 16 goals in 43 games last season, his form has noticeably declined this season.

Højlund will most likely still have to leave.

Manchester United are preparing for a major squad overhaul this summer, selling underperforming players to boost their transfer budget. According to SunSport , Man United's priority is finding an attacking midfielder and a top striker to improve their situation. Targets such as Liam Delap of Ipswich, Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon, and Matheus Cunha of Wolves are all on their radar.

Højlund still has a lot to prove if he wants to maintain his place at Old Trafford.

When asked about Højlund's future, coach Ruben Amorim gave vague statements: "We like our strikers. We are improving our strikers. We will see what happens next season."

According to the British media, Manchester United are ready to sell any player who could fetch a significant transfer fee, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League through the Europa League. And Højlund is no exception. Several clubs in Italy have expressed interest in the young and promising forward.

Gary Neville, a Manchester United legend, commented: "There will be many clubs looking at the talent and seeing that Manchester United haven't fully exploited the potential of these players. They will think they can get a bargain."

"With Højlund, there's still a player with potential there, and there could be a club in Europe willing to capitalize on him," Gary Neville stated.

Given what has happened this season, Højlund still has a lot to prove if he wants to maintain his place at Old Trafford. Whether he can become part of Manchester United's long-term plans will depend on whether he can improve his performance in the remaining matches of this season.

Source: https://znews.vn/h-jlund-con-gi-de-hy-vong-post1549818.html