Rúben Amorim on Rasmus Højlund: Unlocking the Danish Striker’s Full Potential
Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has offered a detailed assessment of Rasmus Højlund’s development, highlighting both his strengths and areas for improvement. The Danish striker, who arrived at Old Trafford in a €75 million deal from Atalanta, has shown flashes of brilliance but remains a work in progress. Amorim, known for his meticulous approach to player development, sees immense potential in Højlund but acknowledges that certain aspects of his game need refining.
“Højlund has a lot of potential. He has the pace, the technique, he’s scored some goals that are really hard to score,” Amorim said. “Sometimes he doesn’t choose the better run, sometimes he’s so anxious to touch the ball and he moves away from the goal. We address that in training, but sometimes it is the confidence of the player.”
These remarks highlight Amorim’s tactical understanding and his commitment to refining United’s attacking structure. But what exactly does Højlund bring to the table, and what areas need improvement under Amorim’s guidance?
Højlund’s Strengths: A Striker Built for Modern Football
Since joining United, Højlund has demonstrated several qualities that make him a promising long-term option:
1.Pace and Physicality: Højlund’s speed and strength make him a nightmare for defenders, particularly in transition. He is capable of leading counter-attacks and exploiting spaces behind defensive lines.
2.Technical Ability: Unlike traditional target men, Højlund possesses solid technical skills, allowing him to hold up play and combine effectively with teammates.
3.Instinctive Finishing: While his goal tally has fluctuated, the goals he has scored have been of high quality. His ability to finish from difficult angles and under pressure suggests a natural goal-scoring instinct.
4.Work Rate and Pressing: Højlund is an aggressive presser, which suits Amorim’s preferred high-intensity playing style. His willingness to chase down defenders and disrupt opposition build-up play is a valuable asset.
However, as Amorim pointed out, there are still crucial elements of his game that need polishing.
Areas for Improvement: What Højlund Must Work On
1.Decision-Making in Runs: Amorim noted that Højlund sometimes “doesn’t choose the better run.” This suggests that while his movement is proactive, it is not always efficient. A top striker knows when to hold his position and when to attack space. Developing better timing in his runs will be crucial.
2.Anxiety in Attack: Amorim also mentioned that Højlund “moves away from the goal” in his eagerness to get involved in play. This is a common issue for young strikers who want to contribute but sometimes drift into ineffective positions. Learning to stay disciplined and focus on positioning will improve his goal-scoring opportunities.
3.Composure in Front of Goal: While he has scored some spectacular goals, Højlund has also missed clear-cut chances. Refining his finishing through consistent training and building confidence will be a key part of Amorim’s plan for him.
4.Link-Up Play: Højlund has the technical ability to participate in build-up play, but he can sometimes struggle with quick decision-making under pressure. Improving his one-touch passing and interplay with teammates like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will make United’s attack more fluid.
Amorim’s Tactical Approach to Developing Højlund
Amorim’s track record at Sporting CP shows that he excels at refining young attacking talents. He transformed players like Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres into lethal attacking threats by focusing on:
•Positional Awareness: Teaching forwards when to stay central and when to drift wide.
•Better Decision-Making: Encouraging players to analyze defensive structures and pick the right runs.
•Confidence Building: Giving strikers the freedom to express themselves without fear of criticism.
At United, Amorim will likely implement similar strategies to elevate Højlund’s game. He will emphasize movement drills, video analysis, and match simulations to improve his decision-making and composure.
Can Højlund Become United’s Long-Term Striker?
Despite some growing pains, the 21-year-old remains a key part of United’s future. If Amorim can fine-tune his movement and finishing, Højlund has the potential to be one of the Premier League’s top strikers. His raw attributes—pace, power, and work ethic—are already in place. Now, it’s about refining the details.
Manchester United fans will be hoping that under Amorim’s guidance, Højlund can evolve into the consistent goal-scorer the club has been searching for since the days of prime Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. With patience and tactical adjustments, there’s every reason to believe that Højlund will become the lethal striker United need.
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