Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that it is unfair to compare Rasmus Hojlund with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
The Red Devils were linked with both strikers last summer but they ultimately signed Hojlund for £72 million from Atalanta.
The 21-year-old hit an excellent run of form at the start of the year when he scored in five consecutive Premier League games.
However, he has struck only once in his last seven league contests since returning from a muscle injury.
Ten Hag praised the Dane’s qualities but also conceded that he needs time to adapt to the Premier League.
He told Sky Sports: “Yes, and you know Harry Kane will get you 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there, but he needs time.
“It’s not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare two players because they are very different.
“But with Hojlund, I think we had the biggest potential in the striker position last summer and we are very happy with him. But he also needs time to adapt and we are very pleased he showed his assets in scoring goals.
“He had a very good period where he scored many games after he showed it, but before and after, he had some physical issues, which is normal for a young player coming up. But it has a negative impact on the team result and that’s what you have to accept.
“Then you go back to the fans and the opinion makers, and they don’t understand or they don’t want to understand this. It is how Man United gets judged, they only see the result, but we need time.
“You have to accept the process is going slower and you can’t then expect to straight [away] compete for titles in the Champions League and Premier League.”
Man United suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday, leaving them eighth in the table behind Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Most of United’s players were poor, especially Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
But Hojlund also wasn’t at his best, with the Dane registering only 27 touches in the game. He won one ground duel, had 69 percent pass accuracy and lost possession eight times.
Ten Hag will be hoping for a better display from his main striker when United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Stats from Sofascore.
