Rasmus Hojlund will NOT develop into a great Premier League striker like Erling Haaland or Sergio Aguero, but Man United forward could ‘become an Ollie Watkins’, claims Gary Neville

Gary Neville believes Rasmus Hojlund won’t become one of the Premier League’s great strikers at Manchester United and claimed the Dane would benefit from being the club’s second striker after struggling for goals.

The United striker hit a purple patch of form at the turn of the year, scoring seven goals in six Premier League games, but has found the back of the net only once since then.

Hojlund moved to Old Trafford in a £72m transfer from Italian side Atalanta last summer but has struggled to find consistency while battling injuries during his debut year in the Premier League, with United rarely looking a threat in front of goal.

Rival fans have been keen to highlight Hojlund’s poor goals return, with United manager Erik ten Hag also revealing recently that Harry Kane was his top choice before the England captain joined Bayern Munich.

The 21-year-old has been learning on the job at United and is the club’s most senior striker, despite being yet to complete a full season in the English top-flight, and former club icon Neville doesn’t believe he will reach the achievements of Erling Haaland and Sergio Aguero.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘I think this is a kid that needs persevering with. I looked at Ollie Watkins before. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘He’s not going to become a Haaland or an Aguero, one of the great strikers in Premier League history, I don’t think. 

‘But he can become an Ollie Watkins. You can look at someone like that, I think can get to 20 goals.’

More to follow.