Rio Ferdinand Delivers Verdict On Rasmus Hojlund Ahead Of Manchester United Transfer

FORMER Manchester

United defender, Rio

Ferdinand, believes incoming striker Rasmus Hojlund has the required traits to make a name for himself in the Premier League - but warns paence will be required.

The 20-year-old is on the brink of finalising his move to Old Trafford after United agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign the forward last weekend. United will pay £64million up front and an addi onal £8m in add-ons, meaning the overall package is worth just north of £70m.

Hojlund, who held video calls with United manager Erik ten Hag before the end of last season, arrived in the UK on Tuesday a ernoon. A er flying into Manchester Airport, he was then whisked away in a people carrier and taken to United’s Carrington training base to start comple ng the formali es of his move.

However, the announcement of his arrival at the club could be delayed un l the weekend, though nothing has suggested that the deal is under any threat of collapsing. He remains on course to join the club and bring an end to their long-term search for a striker.

The response to Hojlund’s imminent arrival at Old Trafford has been dominated by fingers being pointed at the size of the price tag. United are paying a poten al £70m- plus fee for a striker that scored only 10 goals in 34 appearances for Atalanta.

Despite that, Ferdinand is confident that the Dane has the capabili es to deliver the goods in the Premier League, though he believes he needs to be given me to se le in and adjust, comparing him to Darwin Nunez’s situa on at Liverpool.

“The first thing you’ve got to look at is there’s huge poten al,” said Ferdinand. “Anyone who has seen him play will see there are a ributes there that you would like.

“He’s suited to the Premier League. I think the price tag is out of his hands.

“I look at it like Darwin Nunez from Liverpool. Last season was his adjus ng season. He’s a young striker coming to the league, everything about him fits the

Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino Hopes Christopher Nkunku Injury Is Not “Big Issue”

BOSS Mauricio Poche no hopes an injury suffered by striker Christopher Nkunku is not a “big issue” as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund to end their pre-season US tour undefeated.

Mason Burstow scored a 90th-minute equaliser for Chelsea a er Marius Wolf gave Dortmund the lead in Chicago. £52m signing Nkunku, 25, went off in the 22nd minute a er appearing to injure his knee when he was tackled.

The pitch at Chicago’s Soldier Field was in poor condi on.

Areas were patchy and worn a er the stadium, home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears, was used for an Ed Sheeran concert a ended by 73,000 people last weekend.

“The doctors are checking him,” explained Pochetno, who felt the tackle which forced Nkunku off “maybe” should have re- sulted in a penalty.

“He had the chance to score but he feels something in his knee.

“Hopefully it is not a big issue and that he can be quick with the team. We need a few days to assess him and until we get back to London it is difficult to know.

“Always we take some risks because the pitch is not perfect as they are using it for different sports and that is some mes the risk of the tour.

“I think it was a bit unlucky in the situa on but we cannot complain about the pitch and to blame the pitch for why he suffered the injury. For me, it was bad luck.”

Premier League perfectly, but it didn’t go as well as he would have liked.

“But I think this season, we’ll see a different player for Liverpool ... I wouldn’t be surprised if that (a stu ering first season) happens with Hojlund, although I’d like him to have a be er season than Nunez obviously. He may well do but it will take me to adjust.

“The quality is there but you’re always going to be paying big bucks - it’s Manchester United and English tax. That’s what happens.”