Former Manchester United striker Henrik Larsson admits he is impressed by what he has seen from Rasmus Hojlund early on in the striker’s career at the Premier League giants.
One of the finest centre-forwards of his generation, the Celtic, Barcelona and Sweden icon is well-placed to pass judgement on his fellow Scandinavian.
And Henrik Larsson, by his own admission, likes what he sees.
The one-time Manchester United loanee seized the opportunity to take a closer look at Rasmus Hojlund when the Red Devils hosted Copenhagen in the Champions League group-stages and, while the £63 million summer signing might not have found the net, he delivered a centre-forward’s performance full of presence, physicality, movement and intelligence.
Rasmus Hojlund impressing at Manchester United
“I watched him when United played against Copenhagen at Old Trafford. I liked what I saw,” Larsson, who scored three goals during a short-lived spell in England back in 2007, tells the Man United website.
“He is a striker with some speed. He was willing to go beyond the opponents’ back four or back three. It’s early to say, but he looks interesting because physically, there is a presence about him.
“It’s going to take some time before he settles in. He’s new to the club and getting used to the other players. But hopefully, for United, he can be a good striker.”
So far, all five of Hojlund’s United goals have come in the Champions League. A remarkable return in Europe, coupled with the impressive all-round nature of his game, means that there are relatively few concerns about his barren Premier League run, especially given the struggles of those tasked with providing the ammunition from out wide.
Player of the Year nominee
“I think if you’re playing up front in any system, one or two, you always should be able to keep the ball, because you’re not going to be with your partner all the time, even if you’re playing two up front,” Larsson adds, Hojlund’s hold-up play coming to the fore against Copenhagen, a game in which the legendary striker’s son had a last-minute penalty saved by Andre Onana.
“So I think that’s the skillset that you need to have as a striker, because more often than not you’re going to have your back towards the goal.
“And then you need to be able to both keep the ball, but also see where your team-mates are and be able to play the knock-back to one of your midfield players coming up and then going beyond again. So I think that’s the skill set that you need to have in any system you play.
“Obviously a lot of teams are playing with three up front, and that means that you’re going to be on your own (in the middle) more often than not. But I think that he has the physical presence to do both things.”
Hojlund could end the year with a place in the Danish history books to his name, nominated for his country’s Player of the Year award.
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