“This is the crucial aspect that Manchester United players and Erik Ten Hag are neglecting for him. I observed his performances both with Denmark and Atlanta. Personally, I believe he outperforms Haaland. It’s truly unfortunate that they are not addressing this specific requirement for him,” expressed the former defender, highlighting that it must be a challenging situation for Rasmus Højlund at Manchester United.

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has shared his perspective on why the current situation “must be challenging” for Rasmus Højlund, attributing it to the presence of two specific players. Despite being Manchester United’s current top scorer with seven goals across all competitions, Højlund has faced scrutiny for his limited output in the Premier League.

In the last two league fixtures, the 20-year-old found the back of the net, breaking a goal drought that spanned 14 matches. Many have pointed to the lack of support and service he receives while playing alongside Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho under the management of Erik ten Hag.

Parker acknowledges the difficulties Højlund might be facing, stating, “Honestly, it must be challenging for Rasmus Højlund to play with those teammates. No strikers want to play alongside Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.” He highlights that while Garnacho has had a commendable individual season, the playing dynamic may not be conducive for Højlund.

In response to criticism from Roy Keane about Højlund’s perceived lack of goal-scoring desire, Parker acknowledges the challenge of Højlund not receiving the ball. However, he suggests that there’s room for improvement in Højlund’s runs into the box, emphasizing the need for the young striker to be more assertive and demand the ball.

With Anthony Martial sidelined for ten weeks due to groin surgery, Højlund is currently the only recognized striker in the senior squad. Despite Parker’s comments, recent performances indicate a developing partnership between Garnacho and Højlund, particularly evident in their comeback victory over Aston Villa towards the end of 2023.