In a week of many questions over Ruben Amorim’s attacking options, Rasmus Hojund provided an answer or two as Manchester United battled back to beat Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
In one balmy, breathless Old Trafford evening against Norwegian opponents, Manchester United’s Scandinavian sniper doubled his tally for the entire campaign.
Rasmus Hojlund’s first of an enthralling late-night fixture – brilliantly controlled and dispatched in a manner reminiscent of his maiden Premier League strike against Aston Villa 11 months earlier – ensured Man United went into the break level after Bodo/Glimt had cancelled out and then improved upon Alejandro Garnacho’s rapid-fire opener.
Hojlund would then convert from close range as Mason Mount justified all of Ruben Amorim’s praise with a perfectly-placed cross.
The Denmark international now has eight goals in nine European starts in Red Devils colours. After starting on the bench at Ipswich Town, Hojlund certainly sent Ruben Amorim a message with that number nine spot up to grabs.
Erik ten Hag’s replacement, however, is reluctant to get carried away just yet. Hojlund, he says, still has a long way to go before he can really justify his inheritance of Man United’s famous number nine jersey.
Rasmus Hojlund wants even more from Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund hold-up play was far more impressive than in recent outings. But, Amorim says, the 21-year-old would still benefit from releasing the ball a little faster even if his back-to-goal game is showing signs of improvement.
“I think he needs to improve the connection, I think he has to improve more because sometimes he gives too many touches when he holds the ball,” Amorim said during his post-match press conference.
“But he is very important for us because, when we are in the low block, he is the guy to hold the ball and connect for transitions. He did that very well [against Bodo/Glimt].
“He has those characteristics. He was aggressive in the goals, he was aggressive in the box. And he is a quality player. I think he scores the most difficult goals so he has a lot to improve.
“But he did a great job today.”
Amorim has a point.
Hojlund has a habit of making the difficult look easy and, at times, the easy look difficult. It’s telling that, when Hojlund picked his favourite Manchester United goals this week, he highlighted that stunning solo effort against Galatasaray and that thumping finish against Tottenham Hotspur.
Hojlund emulates Ruud van Nistelrooy with Bodo/Glimt brace
Ruud van Nistelrooy – the master of the scrappy close-range tap-in – certainly had a lot of knowledge to impart upon the former Atalanta frontman during his brief spell back at Carrington.
Advice Hojlund, on Thursday night’s evidence, is certainly taking on board. That instinctive, arch-poacher’s finish from that Mount assist was a goal straight out of Van Nistelrooy’s playbook.
“[Hojlund must] stay calm and believe in himself. Believe in his qualities like I do, like his teammates do,” Van Nistelrooy said during his short period in interim charge of Man United. “He is young. He is promising. The work he is putting in will pay off. I am confident in that.
“Most goals are scored in the penalty area, so that is where we want to get our players as much as we can. But it depends on the game. When its needed for him to hold-up and get players into third-man positions, he does a brilliant job as well.
“And he is a guy who can change a game in a second.”
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