Rasmus Højlund’s First Season at Manchester United: A Look Back and Forward
Rasmus Højlund’s Arrival and Performance:
- Transfer Fee: Joined Manchester United from Atalanta for £72 million.
- First Season Stats: Scored 10 goals in 25 starts with an expected goals (xG) of 7.64.
- Criticism: Faced scrutiny due to the high transfer fee and initial lack of prolific scoring, but stats indicate he outperformed his xG, suggesting a lack of chances rather than poor finishing.
Implications for Højlund’s Future:
- Potential: Demonstrated potential despite challenges, with room for growth in a more consistent attacking setup.
- Focus: United may focus on improving chance creation to fully utilize Højlund’s abilities.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s Potential Departure from Manchester United
Current Situation:
- Transfer Interest: Reportedly keen on a move to Galatasaray, who have made him their priority for the right-back position.
- Contract: His contract at United is set to expire next summer (2025 following a 1-year extension), making this transfer window crucial for recouping some investment.
Financial Aspects:
- Initial Fee: Joined Manchester United in 2019 for £50 million from Crystal Palace.
- Current Valuation: United value him at £17 million, but Galatasaray might expect a fee as low as £5.9 million.
- Wages: Earning £90,000 per week, which is relatively high compared to other backup right-backs in top clubs. For instance:
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal): £100,000
- Malo Gusto (Chelsea): £45,000
- Rico Lewis (Manchester City): £25,000
Performance and Role:
- Competition: Has seen reduced playtime due to the rise of Diogo Dalot, who has been reliable and injury-free.
- Utilization: Despite being primarily a right-back, Wan-Bissaka made 20 Premier League starts last season due to United’s lack of a consistent left-back option.
- Versatility: His strong performance in crucial games (e.g., 8/10 against Manchester City in the FA Cup) shows his value, but his wage makes him an expensive backup option.
Strategic Decisions for Manchester United
1. Balancing Højlund’s Development:
- Enhancing Attacking Support: United should focus on improving their attacking midfield and wingers to provide better service to Højlund.
- Long-Term Investment: Continuing to support Højlund’s development is key, especially after investing significantly in him.
2. Managing Wan-Bissaka’s Departure:
- Financial Relief: Selling Wan-Bissaka would free up significant wages, which could be redirected towards other squad needs or new signings.
- Squad Depth: United will need to ensure they have adequate cover at right-back if Wan-Bissaka departs, potentially looking at versatile defensive options.
3. Transfer Window Strategy:
- Timing: The upcoming transfer window is crucial for maximizing the return on Wan-Bissaka before his contract runs out.
- Targeted Signings: Focus on bringing in players who can either directly contribute to the first team or provide strong backup options without high wage demands.
Rasmus Højlund’s debut season at Manchester United has shown promise despite initial criticisms, primarily due to a lack of chance creation rather than poor performance.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s potential move to Galatasaray represents a strategic opportunity for United to recoup funds and reallocate wages towards other squad needs.
United’s focus will be on enhancing their attacking setup to fully leverage Højlund’s potential while carefully managing their squad depth and finances in the transfer market.
Rasmus Højlund’s First Season at Manchester United: A Look Back and Forward
