Owen Hargreaves makes bold Rasmus Hojlund prediction after first season at Man Utd

Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund and former star Owen Hargreaves (Pictures: Getty)

Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund can take his game to another level next season and score ’25 to 30 goals’ in the Premier League.

The Denmark international, who moved to Old Trafford last summer in a £72m deal from Atalanta, helped United beat Newcastle on Wednesday night, coming off the bench to score in the 3-2 win.

Hojlund’s goal was his ninth in 29 Premier League games this term but Hargreaves reckons he could treble that tally with better service next season.

‘He seems to have a real spirit about him, he’s a bit of a Viking and I like that,’ Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions. ‘When things get tough you need players who will fight for you and he will do that.

‘They need to get players around him who will create chances because I think he can score 25 to 30 goals next season.

‘He just needs to be playing consistently, stop taking him out and resting him, if he’s fit give him a run and let him get to know the other players and build partnerships.’

Hargreaves also wants to see more from Amad Diallo next season after he justified a rare start by starring in the win over Newcastle, scoring and assisting before being replaced by Hojlund late on.

Hojlund scored in United’s thrilling win over Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Amad, who scored the winner in Manchester United’s epic FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool, has started just two league games this term.

‘He is a talented young man,’ Hargreaves said of the 21-year-old Ivory Coast international. ‘You have to play these guys to see what happens next season.

‘Amad is technically a good dribbler and it was a really nice strike for the goal. You watch these kids play and you want to see more of them.

‘Sometimes you have got to hang around the box and it comes to you. Amad hits it as clean as you can hit a ball.

‘A lot of United fans are probably surprised he hasn’t played much. They are playing Amad now so they can plan for next season.’

Erik ten Hag, who may or may not still be in charge of Manchester United next season, said the ‘progress’ of young players like Hojlund and Amad was one of the bright sparks from a ‘disappointing’ campaign.

‘This club is in a transition,’ Ten Hag said. ‘We have had a disappointing season but in this disappointment we progressed some good young players.

‘Look at Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – it is good that three were on the scoresheet.’

Manchester United return to action on the final day against Brighton before travelling to Wembley on May 25 for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

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