- Rasmus Hojlund is excelling for Manchester United, finding the net in six consecutive matches.
- Despite a challenging beginning, he is proving himself as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers.
- Hojlund’s chest goal was a stroke of brilliance, demonstrating his genius on the field. Tune in to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast for more.
In Rasmus Hojlund’s family residence in Horsholm, Denmark, a framed handwritten note from his 10-year-old self adorns the wall, originating from a class project at Vallerod Skolen. At number five on his list of lifelong aspirations, Hojlund penned: ‘My goal is to play for the Danish national team and for Manchester United’. Remarkably, within a decade, he had accomplished both feats.
Hojlund’s narrative embodies that of a determined young man relentlessly pursuing his dreams. Upon joining Manchester United last summer, he boldly declared his ambition to ‘become a world-class striker as soon as possible’.
Long before refining the technical prowess that would elevate him into one of Europe’s most sought-after young center-forwards, he exhibited the mental fortitude that has been instrumental in reshaping his trajectory at Old Trafford.
Hojlund’s opening goal in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory at Luton on Sunday, scored just 37 seconds into the match, established him as the youngest player in Premier League history to score in six consecutive games, surpassing fellow Scandinavian star Erling Haaland, among others.
Hojlund’s recent form boasts seven goals in six league matches and eight goals in eight appearances across all competitions. This remarkable turnaround contrasts sharply with his initial 14 league outings for United, during which he failed to register a single goal or assist.
Questions arose regarding the wisdom of Manchester United’s £72 million investment in Hojlund last summer. This scrutiny intensified given his trajectory, having moved from his hometown club FC Copenhagen to Sturm Graz for £1.5 million, then to Atalanta for £15 million before joining United.
The decision to appoint Hojlund as Manchester United’s primary striker at the age of 20 raised concerns, particularly due to the lack of support from the frequently injured Anthony Martial. This placed an immense burden on the young player’s shoulders, exacerbated by a medical examination revealing early signs of a minor back fracture, which delayed his debut.
However, those familiar with Hojlund during his upbringing in Horsholm, north of Copenhagen, are unsurprised by his ability to flourish amidst adversity. Morten Corlin, Hojlund’s youth coach at Brondby, reflects on the young player’s resilience: “It wasn’t his technical abilities; it was his mental strength. He always excelled when faced with challenges; when the team was struggling or down to ten men.” Corlin recalls having to remove the teenager from training sessions on more than one occasion due to his combative nature.
Christian Mouroux, who coached Hojlund at his childhood club Horsholm Usserod Idraetsklub, observed the same characteristics. “Rasmus is someone who thrives on challenges; he grows every time he’s thrown into the deep end,” says Mouroux.
In Denmark, there is widespread admiration for Hojlund’s willingness to venture beyond Copenhagen in his teenage years, seeking new experiences in Austria and Italy before joining Manchester United as his fourth club in less than two years. However, the transition to United proved to be a different level altogether. United has a history of challenging even the most illustrious names.
Ron Atkinson, speaking to Mail Sport, highlighted the unique pressure faced by strikers at Manchester United. He cited examples from his time at Old Trafford in the 1980s, where even established strikers struggled before the arrival of Alex Ferguson. “There’s more spotlight at United, but Hojlund looks full of life. It’s all forgotten now. He’s on fire.”
Since Ferguson’s retirement, United have tended to opt for experienced strikers such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Radamel Falcao, and Edinson Cavani, all of whom have had varying degrees of success at Old Trafford.
The signing of Hojlund, who recently turned 21, marked a shift in policy for Manchester United. Initially, it seemed like a move that could backfire during the first half of the season, despite his tally of five goals in the Champions League. Hojlund encountered difficulties in a team plagued by injuries and lacking form, receiving minimal service as a new striker. Following United’s pre-Christmas loss to West Ham, where Hojlund was substituted in the 57th minute, it was revealed that wingers Antony and Alejandro Garnacho were providing minimal support to their new teammate, averaging less than one pass per game to him in the league.
However, club insiders affirm that Hojlund’s confidence remained unwavering. They portray him as a level-headed individual with a maturity beyond his years, comfortable interacting with academy players at Carrington without any sense of superiority. An instance of this was seen when he represented the club at the Manchesterplatz memorial following United’s match in Munich last September.
True to form, Hojlund embraced the challenges before him. His emotional celebration after scoring his first Premier League goal to secure a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround for both him and United. His eight goals coincided with a streak of seven wins in nine games, with the sole defeat at Nottingham Forest being the only match he missed.
“After Sunday’s double at Kenilworth Road, I never doubted myself, but naturally, there are moments of frustration when the goals don’t come,” he expressed. Hojlund capitalized on Amari’i Bell’s error to notch United’s quickest away goal in Premier League history within the first minute, showcasing exceptional improvisation by chesting Garnacho’s shot into the net shortly afterward.
His clinical performance against Luton contrasted starkly with his missed opportunity in front of goal when the teams met at Old Trafford in November, prolonging his Premier League goal drought. However, beyond his goals, Hojlund’s Sunday display highlighted his ability to hold up the ball, link up play, and utilize his imposing 6ft 3in stature to dominate defenders. He has reached peak fitness following his delayed start and can now sustain relentless running.
Former United favorite Gary Neville likened Hojlund to a young Haaland, noting his power, strength, and aggression. “I’ve always admired those traits in a Manchester United center-forward,” Neville remarked on Sky Sports.
Hojlund’s recent success is attributed to a more settled United side with the return of injured players and improved service. Antony has been sidelined since the West Ham defeat, starting just one of the last seven league matches, with Marcus Rashford and Garnacho preferred on the wings.
His commitment to training remains unwavering, reminiscent of his days spent honing his skills on the pitches of Horsholm, where he often practiced the instinctive finishing displayed in his second goal against Luton.
Hojlund has sought guidance from Ten Hag’s staff, particularly forwards coach Benni McCarthy, and recently engaged in a half-hour one-on-one discussion with Robin van Persie during the former United striker’s visit to Carrington as part of his UEFA Pro License course earlier this month.
Hojlund is renowned for his commitment to post-game recovery, often putting in extensive hours at the training ground. While he seamlessly integrates with various groups within the squad, he maintains a particularly close bond with fellow Scandinavians Christian Eriksen, whom he regards as a big brother figure, and Victor Lindelof.
However, Hojlund doesn’t shy away from displaying his emotions on the pitch. “I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I believe in showing character,” he stated this month, highlighting his preference to avoid social media due to the negativity often encountered during tough times.
Strong familial support has also played a crucial role in his journey. Whether it’s his father Anders or mother Kirsten, one of his parents attends every game, providing unwavering encouragement. Additionally, he finds solace in his childhood sweetheart Laura Rhod Sondergaard, with whom he now shares a home in Cheshire. “She moved in during the winter. She brings me stability,” Hojlund shared.
Manchester United is reaping the rewards of Hojlund’s contributions. His feat of scoring in six consecutive league games places him in esteemed company at Old Trafford alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The young man who arrived in Manchester last summer with aspirations of becoming world-class is undoubtedly on the right path.