I don’t like comparing players just to expose weaknesses. But watching Mateta’s hold-up play got me thinking about Højlund. The way they use their bodies/limbs to deal with contact, and how they scan under pressure couldn’t be more different.

The difference is minutes and experience. Mateta has had light years to hone and develop his hold play, whereas Hojlund signed for Man Utd at 19 years old and has had to learn this aspect of play in front of the world with not enough rotation to rest his mind.

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his touch makes it even look worse.

Whilst I agree with much of what you say, there is a wider context. Mateta has support players close to him to and runners behind. Højlund has no one within 20 yards of him

It's fine to blame Hojlund, but where's the midfield outlet? That's an insane gap in the midfield that'll compromise any team if the striker loses it. Place a midfielder in that gap and Hojlund can lay it off for a through to runners on the left.