Rasmus Hojlund is set to become the latest striker to take on the pressure that comes with leading the line for Manchester United – and not many can leave with their head held high
Rasmus Hojlund is set to take on the role as Man Utd’s star striker (Image: Getty Images)
Rasmus Hojlund is set to join a long-list of high-profile strikers to join Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired – with varied levels of success.
The Denmark international with have pressure plied on his shoulders in the form of a £72million transfer fee at the age of just 20, with far more experienced stars struggling at Old Trafford in the past.
Red Devils fans always expect the highest of quality from those who wear the famous red shirt, which can often be too much to handle.
From Odion Ighalo to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daily Star Sport have ranked the contributions of those who have played up front across the past 10 seasons – with none lifting the Premier League title.
10. Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst managed just two goals across his 31 appearances while on loan at United – with neither coming in his 17 Premier League outings.
The loan experiment under Erik ten Hag was not a successful one, with the Netherlands forward returning to Burnley this summer
9. Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez was a disastrous signing for United having been such a success for Arsenal elsewhere in the Premier League.
Not quite a number nine but not your usual winger, the Chilean managed five goals across 45 appearances, having scored 30 in his last full season at Arsenal. Sanchez has since found his form at Marseille after leaving Inter.
8. Memphis Depay
Although he didn’t play as a central striker, Memphis Depay was expected to score bags of goals for United after shining for PSV.
He scored seven goals across 53 appearances before leaving for Lyon, since playing for Barcelona and now Atletico Madrid.
7. Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao looked a long way from his best during a loan stint at United, but worked hard enough to earn a warm send-off.
He scored four goals across his 26 Premier League outings, later struggling at Chelsea before more success with Galatasaray and Rayo Vallecano.
(Image: Getty Images)
6. Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo fulfilled his boyhood dream by playing and scoring for United, netting five times across 23 appearances.
The former Watford man warmed the hearts of fans before his Saudi Pro League switch, but sadly didn’t manage a Premier League goal.
5. Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani impressed in his debut season at United in scoring 17 goals across 39 appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Unfortunately for the veteran, his second season didn’t go to plan with two goals across 20 appearances. He recently joined Boca Juniors from Valencia.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo left United on awful terms after an emotional return to the club, but had a fine return of goals before things turned sour.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 24 goals across 38 games after leaving Juventus, but grabbed only three in the next campaign before leaving.
3. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku joined United from Everton and smashed home 27 goals in an impressive debut season. He scored 15 the next time out before joining Inter Milan.
He has since joined Chelsea before returning to Italy on loan, with his future up in the air.
2. Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial has played up front for United on occasion and sits so high on the list because he still has time to succeed.
The France international has managed 88 goals across 298 outings, having his best season in three years last time out.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Topping the list is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who left PSG to try and conquer the Premier League and scored 29 goals across 53 matches.
The Sweden icon lifted the Europa League and League Cup during his time at the club, since staring for LA Galaxy and helping AC Milan to Serie A glory before retiring.