Rio Ferdinand has warned that Rasmus Hojlund could suffer the same adaptation struggles to English football as Darwin Nunez did at Liverpool last season.
The 20-year-old is closing in on sealing his £72million switch from Atalanta to Manchester United, giving Erik ten Hag the new No 9 he has craved all summer long.
Ferdinand is under no illusions of the ‘huge potential’ Hojlund possesses but served up a warning that expectations, at least initially, need to be kept in check.
‘Anyone who has seen him play will see there are attributes there that you would like. He’s suited to the Premier League,’ Ferdinand, a pundit for TNT Sports, said.
‘I look at it a bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season.
‘Anyone who has seen him play will see there are attributes there that you would like. He’s suited to the Premier League,’ Ferdinand, a pundit for TNT Sports, said.
‘I look at it a bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens with Hojlund although I’d like him to have a better season than that obviously. He may well do but it will take time to adjust.’
Nunez bagged 15 goals and four assists from 42 games last season, down from 34 goals and four assists from 41 games the season before. Hojlund heads to the Premier League on the back of a 16-goal, seven assist campaign in Italy.
Put to Ferdinand that Harry Kane would have been the perfect fit at this point for the United side Ten Hag is building, the former United centre back is dismissive of the idea a deal would ever have been allowed to be made from Tottenham’s side, opening the door to go all-in on Hojlund.
The Denmark international landed in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon and headed to United’s Carrington training complex where he underwent a series of medical checks.
The forward has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with the option of a further year, and the contract will be officially signed on Wednesday, with an announcement imminent.