Rasmus Hojlund has admitted he fell short of expectations at Manchester United
Rasmus Hojlund has admitted he fell short of expectations at Manchester United after finally ending his 21-game goal drought.
Hojlund went 22 hours and 19 minutes without a goal before scoring the opener in United's comfortable 3-0 win at Leicester on Sunday night.
The Denmark striker, a £72million signing from Atalanta in 2023, conceded he has been nowhere near the standard required of United's first-choice striker this season.
Although Hojlund has also suffered from a lack of service, the 22-year-old admitted he has struggled to adapt to the demands of boss Ruben Amorim's system and produce his best form.
“I think it comes down to my performances as well,” said Hojlund. “I think obviously I've not been on top of my game as I wanted to and we're still adapting to a new system and some new positions.
“But I think I've been growing into it lately and starting to look a bit better. But I'm just happy to get on the scoresheet and I'm sure they will come more now.
“I'm happy, but it's not all about goals. I'm obviously very happy to get my goal and it gives me a lot of confidence.
“I think we're starting to get a bit more of a connection between myself and the players, then starting to understand what my qualities are even more and playing to them as well.
Hojlund ended his 21-game goal drought with the opener in United's 3-0 win at Leicester on Sunday (
Image:
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“I'm developing and starting to understand their qualities as well, and that's what the manager wants. He wants us to play to our strengths and now we're starting to find each other even better.
“He also wants me to stretch the pitch. I think that's quite obvious, and to get me into the channels and keep keeping the centre-backs occupied. That's what I'm trying to do. I think I've got a good amount of speed and that's what I'm here for.”
Asked what he was feeling when the ball hit the net to end his goal drought, Hojlund said: “I don't think it was like the first time, when I scored against Aston Villa, but obviously I was very happy and still am.
“I see it as a good step on the way, but I just want to keep on improving and keep being better. I know I'm not the finished article, but I just want to keep going and keep becoming even better.
“I'm sure I'll get even better and score even more goals if I just focus on that.”
On his growing understanding with fellow forward Joshua Zirkzee, Hojlund said: “Obviously we didn't get to play too much together in the beginning of the season, but now he's starting to play in a different role or position, so playing together with him is very nice.
“I think competition is a good thing, but I think we also support each other's qualities very well. I love playing with all my team-mates."
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