THE SHARPE END: How Rasmus Hojlund hit his hot streak for Man United

No goals in his first 14 Premier League games and now five in five. Rasmus Hojlund has found his groove. Before this weekend, no one had scored more goals since Boxing Day than the Manchester United striker. So, what’s changed?

He’s taking the same amount of shots, making the same number of runs, albeit a few more into the box, and his team-mates are aiming for him the same number of times.

Is it just a hot streak after a cold one? Not quite. He’s having the same number of shots but the quality of them is now better.

One reason is he receives so few passes. His 16.4 received per game is the second-lowest of all the main strikers. Only Erling Haaland receives fewer, though he boasts double Hojlund’s shot tally.

That’s because when Haaland gets the ball, it’s usually in a goalscoring position. If United want their red-hot striker to keep firing, they need to get him on the end of chances more often.

What has changed is he’s taking chances. No goals from 18 shots and now five from his last eight.

United are finding Hojlund in better positions — and he’s taking advantage. It’s still not near enough. Of all first-choice strikers, Hojlund averages the fewest shots a game.

Only Mo Salah has taken more shots in that time with a better xG per attempt on goal than Hojlund.