Rio Ferdinand gives Rasmus Hojlund Man Utd backing with Darwin Nunez comparison

Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United supporters that new arrival Rasmus Hojlund could struggle to make an impact in his debut season at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old Denmark international Hojlund has completed his medical checks at Carrington ahead of a £72million move from Atalanta which is likely to be formally announced in the coming days.

Hojlund could be officially unveiled as a new United player on Saturday when Erik ten Hag’s side host Lens at Old Trafford in their penultimate pre-season friendly before their Premier League opener against Wolves on August.

But in the view of Ferdinand, £85m Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is living proof that big-money transfer fees do not automatically translate to immediate success.

Therefore, he insists Hojlund must be given time to adapt to his new surroundings – even though he is expected to spearhead United’s new-look attack for the 2023/24 campaign.

United are paying £64m upfront for a raw prospect who mustered just nine goals in Serie A last season – plus an additional £8m in bonuses.

But TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand is adamant the goals will come as the Scandinavian ticks virtually every box head coach Ten Hag is looking for from his marquee centre-forward.

“The first thing you’ve got to look at is there’s huge potential,” he said. “Anyone who has seen him play will see there are attributes there that you would like. He’s suited to the Premier League.

“I think the price tag is out of his hands. I look at it like Darwin Nunez from Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season.

“He’s a young striker coming to the league, everything about him [Nunez] fits the Premier League perfectly but it didn’t go as well as he would have liked. But I think this season we’ll see a different player for Liverpool.”

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Nunez only found the back of the net nine times in the Premier League last season for Liverpool following his high-profile switch from Benfica but former United centre-back Ferdinand now expects the Uruguayan’s numbers to explode under the expertise of Jurgen Klopp.

He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens with Hojlund although I’d like him to have a better season than Nunez obviously. He may well do but it will take time to adjust.

“The quality is there but you’re always going to be paying big bucks – it’s Manchester United and English tax. That’s what happens.”

United had been considering an audacious move for Tottenham frontman Harry Kane at the end of last season as the England captain approached the final year of his Spurs contract.

But Old Trafford chiefs were mindful that Daniel Levy had no interest in doing business with a fellow Premier League rival – a stance that has been reaffirmed in recent weeks as Bayern Munich continue to push for an agreement.

Instead, United pressed ahead with a swoop for the latest talent off the Atalanta conveyor belt, who is one of Europe’s hottest commodities and takes the club’s summer spending to a grand total of £179m.

Paris Saint-Germain had rivalled United’s bids with a verbal proposal for Hojlund but he made it abundantly clear via his representatives that the Red Devils, the club he supports, were the only team for him.

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