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A recent feature comparing statistics on Man United’s Rasmus Hojlund and Man City’s Erling Haaland has drawn ire from supporters.
The Norwegian had a blistering start to Premier League life in the blue half of Manchester, whilst the Danish striker has taken a while to get used to English football, before becoming the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games.
Their respective fortunes in front of goal have been closely scrutinised, but fans think Sky Sports were guilty of ‘mad business’ by choosing to compare the two No. 9’s, presumably in part because of their similar names, and for ‘bashing’ Hojlund just as he’s started to find his goalscoring boots.
Haaland had a blistering start to life in England’s top flight when he joined Man City from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 25 goals, and making three assists in just 20 games.
Rasmus Hojlund is the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games
Erling Haaland had a blistering start to life in England’s top flight after joining Manchester City
A statistical comparison of both No. 9’s on Sky Sports has drawn significant ire from fans
Hojlund was slower off the mark, but has now risen to seven goals and two assists in English league football since joining from Atalanta in the summer of 2023.
It means the Dane has an average of 210 minutes per Premier League goal, compared to just 66 minutes for the Norwegian hot-shot’s stunning start.
The pair have a similar number of chances made, but Haaland’s 33.8% conversion rate puts him significant above Hojlund’s percentage, which is 24.7%.
The Man United striker has an xG total of 6.5, whilst Haaland had an xG of 17 for his first 20 games, and one fan of the Red Devils noted that this was an important number to focus on, as it highlighted the difference between the two sides.
One Man United fan wrote on X (fka Twitter): ‘Only one stat to look out for on that graphic.. xG. Only 6.5xG amassed by Hojlund in his first 20 games, which outlines the problem.. service!
‘Haaland 17xG. Stays between the lines and has countless goalscoring opportunities per game.’
Since Christmas, the numbers have been significantly different for both parties – and whilst Haaland has been recovering from an injury, it is positive news for Hojlund.
Since Christmas, Hojlund has seven Premier League goals from his six games, and an xG of 3.47.
Haaland has scored three goals in his five league games since December 25, but has an xG of 4, as well as one assist.
It means Hojlund is currently converting a goal every 75 minutes of game time, and finishing with a 64% conversion rate, whilst Haaland’s is a goal every 125 minutes of playing time, and his conversion rate is down at 13%.
Since Christmas, Hojlund has seven Premier League goals from his six Man United games
Haaland has been recently recovering from injury, so the Norwegian’s stats have fallen away
‘Why do sky sports want to find a way to bash a young lad who’s hit some form?’, asked one United fan, following the comparison.
They added: ‘Comparing him to the best goal scorer in the world who gets about 8 chances a match when Hojlund still feeding off scraps’.
Others concurred, with one writing: ‘This even makes what hojlund is doing more impressive imo’
”Absolute criminal to even compare both of them,’ protested another fan. ‘One plays for the best club in the word [sic] and another one barely even getting a chance created for him’.
Even Manchester City fans were not amused, with one claiming: ‘This is like comparing Pele and Peter Crouch’.
And following all the debate about which striker is better – and the impact they have made on the Premier League in their opening appearances – one fan said: ‘I understand their names are similar but comparing Haaland to Hojlund is mad business my guy.’
Sixth-placed Manchester United host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
Haaland and the rest of Pep Guardiola’s Man City side travel to Bournemouth at the weekend
Another said: ‘We should enjoy them both instead of all this comparisons’.
Sixth-placed Manchester United host Fulham on Saturday afternoon, hours before third-placed Man City play Bournemouth.
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