Manchester United legend Paul Parker has delivered a brutal assessment of "Primark" striker Rasmus Hojlund after his miserable 2024-25 campaign.
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Hojlund ripped to shredsDeemed a failure at Old TraffordMan Utd advised on potential new No.9Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Hojlund has struggled to live up to expectations since joining United from Atalanta in a £72 million ($98m) deal two years ago. The Denmark international has recorded just 26 goals in 96 appearances for the Red Devils to date, including only four in the Premier League last season, and the 22-year-old's long-term future at Old Trafford is now being called into question.
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United have been tipped to sign a new striker this summer, with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins reportedly among those near the top of Ruben Amorim's wishlist. Speaking to GOAL – in association with – former Red Devils defender Parker expressed his belief that Watkins has all the qualities to solve the team's long-standing No.9 woes. "I'd have to say yes. He's honest, he's a workaholic, and I've found it strange how players are playing in front of him at Aston Villa," he said. "I'm a fan of Ollie Watkins, people will talk about his age, but he's someone who is willing to run the line, someone who will try and turn bad into a good and can score goals. He's very strong in the air as well and he can lead the line, which is a massive plus for Man Utd because they never had that last season – a blind man would have done better."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, when asked whether United could sell Hojlund if they do agree a deal for Watkins, Parker struck a more uncertain tone. He added: "I think it'll be difficult to move him on. Man Utd go shopping big and end up with Primark stuff. They've spent fortunes on potential that's failed, they have to give them away cheaply or they have to hope he can watch, listen and learn and improve that way. Then all of a sudden your investment might get strong again. But people are going to judge him when he's deemed as failing at Man Utd. I [also] don't think you can sell him without bringing someone else in after Watkins."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HOJLUND?
Hojlund needs a strong pre-season if he is to convince Amorim he deserves another chance to be United's leading man, or else the club may step up their interest in Watkins. The Red Devils will open their friendly schedule with a clash against Leeds in Stockholm on July 19 before embarking on a tour of the United States, where they are set to face three more Premier League rivals in the form of West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.
