MANCHESTER UNITED are unbeaten in every game that Rasmus Hojlund has started this season.
And the stats suggest if United keep superb Hojlund fit, Erik ten Hag might have more chance of seeing out the season at the helm.
United have avoided defeat in all of the three games that Hojlund has started since he returned from a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season.
The Dane scored the winner with an ice-cool dink in United's 2-1 comeback victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Alejandro Garnacho drawing his side level after half-time.
He has already scored TWO in the three consecutive games he's started in all competitions - and is yet to play a full 90 this season.
It took the 21-year-old just 20 minutes to poke home in his first start of the season, United's 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League.
With Hojlund in the team, United's average shots have boosted up to 20.6 per game.
This is a stark difference to the 15.5 shots per game the team mustered up in the opening eight games in all competitions before Hojlund started.
Hojlund has 0.73 goals per 90 in all competitions this season - the highest of all United's forwards.
He has already matched Marcus Rashford, Zirkzee and Amad Diallo's Prem goal tally this term, despite playing 50 per cent less.
The Red Devils must keep Hojlund out of the medical room if they have any chance of winning the pressing game too.
The Prem giants are a far better pressing unit when Hojlund leads the line, with his hold up and link-up play stronger than other centre forward Zirkzee's.
United have conceded an average of 11 shots over the last three games he's started, compared to 12.5 shots faced in the games without the Dane.
Ten Hag's men have seven goals from 112 shots this season, meaning their xG is just 13.02.
Hojlund's conversion rate of 24 per cent was better than Manchester City star Erling Haaland (23 per cent) in the Prem last season.
And Alan Shearer was impressed by Hojlund's Brentford showing, believing his off the ball work has had an effective impact on the team.
Shearer said on Match of the Day: "The positives today were without a doubt the front three in Garnacho, Rashford and Hojlund.
"I thought they more than played their part and were a constant threat for large parts of the game.
"They linked up well, getting their shots away at goal. I thought Hojlund was really impressive.
"A lot of times having to do the dirty work and holding defenders off. It allowed the other two to play a more forward role.
On Hojlund's potential, Ten Hag said: "He will always score. What is important is he is keeping fit.
"He picked up so many injuries in the first season and when he stays fit, he will score goals because that is proved in his stats."
Another number signifies Hojlund’s significance. His shirt number has been switched this season, from 11 to 9.
The Denmark international faced big criticism for a scratchy first few months at Old Trafford last season following his £72m move in the summer of 2023.
But he found his shooting boots after his first Prem goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, and finished the campaign with 16 in all competitions.
