Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup has hatched a plan to keep Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund quiet ahead of Manchester United’s Championship group-stage clash away at the Danish champions.
With Erik ten Hag’s side touching down in the capital, it makes sense that Manchester United’s two Denmark internationals have been a topic of much pre-match discussion.
Rasmus Hojlund, a former Copenhagen player, has scored all three of his United goals in the Champions League.
Eriksen meanwhile, a bonafide Danish legend, set up the Red Devils winner at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, assisting Harry Maguire with the sort of sumptuous delivery the Copenhagen boss is desperate to stop at source ahead of tonight’s return fixture.
Manchester United face Copenhagen
“We must stop imagining that we have been hit by an accident. Not even on the goal that Manchester United scores,” Neestrup tells Tipsbladet.
“The next time Christian Eriksen gets the ball in such a situation, we must sprint (and close him down) to avoid something like this happening. It has something to do with quality. Not luck or bad luck.
“There are also other talented players. But he is definitely one of those to keep an eye on.”
Hojlund was excellent as United edged past Copenhagen on home soil, his hold-up play and his prodigious work-rate giving Ten Hag a genuine presence in attack even if he did not manage to find the net against the club where he started his career.
Neestrup, meanwhile, is determined to stop Hojlund from embarking on one of those trademark stomping runs, while warning his defence to keep their wits about them when the 20-year-old sniffing out opportunities.
Hojlund and Eriksen return to Denmark
“We are going to prepare for the fact that we should give Rasmus Hojlund a few meters so that he can bring the ball down, rather than give him space to run in,” Neestrup adds.
“We also have to get used to the fact that he never gives up when pressing. He always comes at 200 kilometers an hour.”
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