Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal of 2025 on Sunday, breaking the deadlock as Manchester United enjoyed a 3-0 win away to relegation-threatened Leicester in the Premier League
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Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United (left) celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rasmus Hojlund's celebration returned on Sunday against Leicester(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The FA won't be telling Rasmus Hojlund to stop his cutthroat celebration after the Manchester United striker brought it back out against Leicester. Hojlund, 22, produced his trademark celebration for the first time in 2025 on Sunday, having scored the opening goal as United romped to a 3-0 win.
His composed finish ended 22 hours of football without a goal and the Denmark international didn't miss the chance to celebrate. As debuted in the November victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Hojlund ran towards ran to the United fans at Leicester and gave them a thumbs up before immediately turning it into a thumbs down.
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Hojlund then performed a throat-slitting gesture, borrowed from the Gladiator film franchise, with itself sequel having released last year. Given the scrutiny which some players have faced for graphic celebrations and the fact that English football has invested millions to help reduce violent behaviour and knife crime, there was a suggestion that United's £72million star could be in trouble.
But according to the Mail, FA chiefs have taken a relaxed view on the celebration after it returned for the first time in 99 days and they won't be telling Hojlund to stop. After ending his goal drought, the 22-year-old wants to bring the celebration out again following the international break.
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Hojlund expressed his relief after scoring on Sunday but he wasn't quite as relieved as when he waited almost four months for his first Premier League goal in 2023. As quoted by the Manchester Evening News, he 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 improving and keep being better. I know I'm not finished the article or what you say over here, but I just want to keep going and keep becoming even better and I'm sure I'll get even better and score even more goals if I just focus on that."
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
The FA have no issue with Rasmus Hojlund's Gladiator-inspired celebration
Despite his three-month goal drought, Hojlund has largely retained the faith of new manager Ruben Amorim, whose demands on his strikers are clear. "He wants me to stretch the pitch. I think that's quite obvious. Get me into the channels and keep the centre-backs occupied," he explained.
"That's what I'm trying to do. I think I got a good amount of speed and that's what I'm here for. I think it comes down to my performances as well.
"I think 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. Just happy to get on a score sheet today and I'm sure they will come more now."
Amorim felt that Hojlund deserved a goal 'more than anybody'. "It's really important for him," the United boss added.
"He's doing the right things, he's helping the team, he's fighting for every ball and today he scored a very good goal, very important goal, especially at that moment in the game.
Amorim and his players face high-flying Nottingham Forest after the the international break before hosting Manchester City at Old Trafford. The Red Devils then face French side Lyon over two legs in the Europa League quarter-finals either side of a tricky trip to Newcastle.
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