Ferdinand took Darwin Nunez to warn rookie Man Utd
Over the weekend, Man Utd and Atalanta agreed on a transfer fee for Hojlund, including $83 million in upfront fees and $11 million in surcharges. The Danish striker then passed the medical examination and signed a 5-year contract with the "Red Devils". He could make his debut for Man Utd in a friendly against Lens at Old Trafford on August 5, or against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin a day later.
Hojlund has yet to have an impressive goalscoring record, with just nine goals in 32 Serie A games last season. However, the 20-year-old is considered to meet all the criteria for a Man Utd striker as expected by coach Erik ten Hag, including the ability to sweep, press continuously, move without the ball and finish well with two feet. .
Ferdinand also acknowledged Hojlund's potential, saying the Danish international has what it takes for a striker and would be a good fit for the Premier League. However, the 44-year-old former centre-back fears Hojlund may have difficulty adapting to Man Utd's style of play, especially in the first season.
Ferdinand compared Hojlund with Nunez - a striker who came to Liverpool for a fee of $ 105 million in the summer of 2022. The Uruguayan star was then also judged to have good physique, speed and dribbling to integrate quickly in the Premier League. But he still had a difficult first season with just 15 goals in 42 games in all competitions - poor statistics compared to 34 goals and four assists in 41 games for Benfica in the 2021-2022 season.
"Last season was the season for Nunez to adapt," added Ferdinand. "Nunez is a talent with qualities that fit the Premier League perfectly, but things are not going as well as he would like. I think this season we will see a very different Nunez at Liverpool. I will No wonder Hojlund goes through the same thing, even though he wants him to have a better season."
According to Ferdinand, compatriot Harry Kane is the perfect choice for the team and the style of play that coach Erik ten Hag is building. But the British player admitted that Man Utd was difficult to complete this deal because Tottenham shouted for more than $ 150 million, even though Kane only had one year of his contract left.
Hojlund is Man Utd's third rookie this summer, after goalkeeper Andre Onana with a total transfer fee of 62 million USD from Inter Milan and midfielder Mason Mount for a total fee of 76 million USD from Chelsea. Coach Ten Hag also wants to recruit a central midfielder, with Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat and Bayern's Leon Goretzka being targeted.
