Rasmus Hojlund and Erling Haaland are two strikers playing for two of Manchester’s biggest teams and are certainly big rivals as a result.
The countdown to the first Manchester Derby of the season is underway with Manchester United set to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the end of October in what could be a pivotal fixture.
Rasmus Hojlund has had a fantastic start for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag and naturally, the comparisons between him and Erling Haaland were bound to occur.
Well, speaking to Danish outlet TV2 Sport, Hojlund was asked about the comparison with the former Borussia Dortmund striker and provided a glimpse into his superb mentality.
Hojlund on Haaland
“I would rather not be compared to him. I think he is in a class of his own”, Hojlund told the Danish outlet. “I hope that one day I can reach his level, but right now, I think it is too early.
“Erling is, in any case, the world’s best striker, if not the world’s best footballer. I don’t really want to be compared to him, but I hope that one day I can be like him.
“Who knows? I am only 20 years old. We will have to see what will happen in the future.”
The comparisons between the two really begin and end with the fact they’re both Scandinavian strikers who have blonde hair and play in Manchester, they are two very different strikers.
Hojlund vs Haaland
The pair have similarities, definitely. They are both fast, athletic and clinical strikers but you could argue Hojlund is perhaps a slightly better dribbler as shown by his mazy goal against Galatasaray.
Haaland, however, is the much better finisher of the two, and with eight Premier League goals already this season, it seems likely he will be the league’s top goalscorer once again.
The differences between the pair were perhaps summed up best with Hojlund’s performance against Kazakhstan as the 20-year-old provided two assists for his teammates.
There had been question marks about United stumping up £64 million for the Dane but these dissenting voices have gotten quieter in recent weeks, due to Hojlund’s, at times, breathtaking performances.
A quote from the 20-year-old perhaps sums up his mentality and his determination to be a success in Manchester.
“I take it one day at a time and try to get better every day,” he said when asked how good he can be. “I like that there are expectations of me. I enjoy it.”
At United, there will always be expectations but Hojlund is seemingly handling it very well so far.
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