Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand claims to have been told by Erik ten Hag that Rasmus Hojlund will make his Manchester United return during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
After missing the last four games in all competitions, Manchester United’s 13-goal top scorer really could not have timed his return much better.
Erik ten Hag’s side host bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend with a semi-final spot in the world’s oldest club competition up for grabs.
And after dropping a hint about Rasmus Hojlund’s squad earlier on Tuesday – the striker included in Denmark’s squad alongside Christian Eriksen for March’s friendlies with Switzerland and the Faroe Island – Hjulmand has now indicated that the 21-year-old could make his comeback on the pitch when Liverpool make the trip down the M62.
Manchester United get Rasmus Hojlund boost
“It is clear that Rasmus will play on Sunday against Liverpool, and must get through the game well. We expect that,” Hjulmand tells Danish publication Campo.
“We are in contact with United. I have spoken to Erik, and we expect that to happen. But it is clear that he has to get through the game.”
Hojlund, before picking up an injury which kept him out against Fulham, Manchester City, Nottingahm Forest and Saturday’s Alejandro Garnacho-inspired victory over Everton, had scored in six successive Premier League games. The youngest player ever to do so in the competition’s history, and only the fourth in Man United colours. Hojlund is now sharing a piece of United history with the iconic trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
With 13 in all competitions, Hojlund has also exceeded his tally from the entirety of that 2022/23 campaign at Atalanta. The £64 million summer signing also picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for February, with United team-mate Kobbie Mainoo handed the Goal of the Month gong for that 97th minute stunner at Wolves.
United’s top scorer could make timely return
“It’s like buses,” United legend and treble-winner Andy Cole tells the Man United website. “You miss one and get another one, and there are plenty more that come after that.
“When he first came here, of course he took a bit of flak. He hadn’t scored a goal (in the Premier League for 14 games) and looked like he was playing with a little bit less confidence. Once he gets the first one, the second one comes very quickly as well, and his confidence grows.
“If you look at him now, after his first goal in the team to when he wasn’t scoring goals, he’s puffed out his chest, his shoulders are back and he’s playing out there and doing things he knows what he can do now. That’s what you do with confidence.
“Like I said before, long may it continue. There’s going to be a time when you score goals and a time when you don’t score goals. But keep doing the basics and we’ll be okay.”
In a further boost to the under-pressure Ten Hag, United confirmed today that long-term absentees Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount are back in training.
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