Rasmus Hojlund is desperately needed by MANCHESTER UNITED supporters to help the squad overcome its early-season difficulties.

The Red Devils’ newest recruit addressed the crowd with a megaphone after playing as a substitute in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Finland, which placed Denmark back on track to qualify for Euro 2024.

9Rasmus Hojlund joined Manchester United this summer from AtalantaCredit: Getty

9He addressed the Denmark fans after his country’s 1-0 win over Finland during the international breakCredit: EPA

Hojlund is finally prepared to share more encouraging news following a contentious few weeks for boss Erik ten Hag involving Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, and Antony.

The 20-year-old attacker is now targeting his full debut against Brighton tomorrow and is expecting to make a significant impact.

Additionally, the sporting director of his former Danish club believes he possesses the character and skills necessary to succeed at Old Trafford.

Hojlund is well-known to Christian Mouroux of Horsholm-Usserod Idraetsklub in North Zealand, who has known him since they were both 12 years old.

Rasmus has never been conceited; rather, he has always been incredibly self-assured and, more importantly, incredibly focused.

Rasmus can handle the pressure, if anyone can, in my opinion.

The strong, confident Danish center forward Hojlund is hardly the first to arrive in England with high hopes.

“A good comparison can be made to the other emerging superstar we had in Nicklas Bendtner,” said Mouroux, who also followed Hojlund to Brondby as a coach.

They both wear No. 9, are highly athletic, and have a glint in their eyes. They are playful, gregarious, and cheeky.

“Bendtner was definitely a more naturally gifted footballer, but that may have caused him to take things more lightly and be more susceptible to the outer influences that come with being a superstar.

Rasmus is entirely unique. It won’t get out of hand, even though I’m sure he’ll get a nicer watch and a bigger automobile.

“He has the appropriate mindset for it. He is extremely well-behaved. He is well aware of the benefits that hard effort can have on you, and it is hard work that has helped him get to where he is now.

9Nicklas Bendtner burst on to the scene with Arsenal where he went on to score 47 goals in 171 appearancesCredit: Getty

9Hojlund will be hoping to make an even bigger impact in the Premier League than Bendtner didCredit: Getty

Dad Anders, a former semi-pro striker, and mother Kirsten Winther, a former 100-meter sprinter, are responsible for Hojlund’s discipline.

The family house, which was modified to enable Hojlund and his younger twin brothers Oscar and Emil (who are currently members of FC Copenhagen’s Under-19 team) attain their full potential, is still close to HUI.

Rasmus’ father is a carpenter, according to Mouroux. He turned the basement into a football field when they rebuilt their home so they could play inclement weather.

All three of Anders’ sons were coached by him at HUI. But when those guys returned home after a loss or a poor performance, their mother was just as harsh—if not harsher—on them, pressing them to adopt the proper attitude.

“They’ve had it since they were very young and from both sides.”

Rasmus has always been incredibly self-assured and, more importantly, incredibly focused. He has never been haughty or conceited.

Charles Mouroux

Hojlund’s dedication to progress overshadowed any exceptional talent he may have had as a young child.

He played a year up and was always fairly physically developed, according to Mouroux. I believe it was an attacking midfielder.

But he wasn’t as quick as he is today, and he wasn’t as talented as the other players he was playing with.

“I do recall seeing him jogging around the pitch while wearing a Manchester United jersey. However, I noticed him working out alone more frequently in the stadium.

“Standing out came later for him, thanks to the individual training he did, constantly being down there running through cones, shooting, and training with his brothers,” says the author.

9Hojlund stood out as a kid because of his commitment to self-improvement

9He regularly played against opponents a year up from his age group

9

The hope of Man United supporters is that Hojlund can be the striker they so urgently need.Source: Getty

Hojlund relocated right before his 12th birthday thanks to a partnership between HUI and Brondby.

He went to FC Copenhagen, nevertheless, after he and his father decided he wasn’t making enough development.

There, Hojlund’s potential as a dominant No. 9 was awakened, and at age 17, he made his first-team debut.

He couldn’t, however, make a name for himself as the frontman of choice. As a result, in January 2022, he moved to Austria as an 18-year-old to join Sturm Graz.

Both SG head coach Christian Ilzer and sporting director Andreas Schicker were impressed by how assuredly Hojlund handled the significant shift.

Hojlund began the following season in style after a strong first half. It was game-changing when he scored the second goal of his double in a 2-1 victory over the champions Red Bull Salzburg in July 2022. It was a lightning-quick move that was completed with a skilled finish.

He is of the appropriate mindset for it. He is extremely well-behaved. He is well aware of the benefits of hard effort and how it helped him get to where he is now.

 

According to Ilzer, “It was probably the goal that opened up all the doors of European football for him.”

Weeks later, Atalanta, whose manager Gian Piero Gasperini added to the “new Erling Haaland” hype, signed him for about £15 million.

Less than a year later, United agreed to a £64 million base fee plus an additional £8 million in add-ons, making him by far the most expensive Danish player in history.

“I know he was surprised when the number first came,” Mouroux remarked.But as soon as he realized it, he reasoned that there must be a good reason why someone would want to pay for him. The only thing left for me to do is what is expected of me and what I know I can do to live up to that expectation because someone believed in what I am capable of.

 

Hojlund’s United debut as a substitute in the defeat at Arsenal showed potential.

After just giving his nation a call to arms, he must now give United supporters something to cheer about.

9Hojlund impressed last season with nine league goals in 32 appearances for AtalantaCredit: Getty

9Hojlund showed small sparks of promise during his small cameo against ArsenalCredit: Getty