LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Premier League match ... More between Leicester City FC and Manchester United FC at The King Power Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Rasmus Hojlund couldn’t help himself. Having scored a crucial goal for Denmark in its UEFA National League quarter-final against Portugal, the centre forward imitated Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration in front of the man himself. Ronaldo got his revenge by finding the back of the net in the second leg, putting Portugal through to the next round.
Hojlund also scored in his final Manchester United appearance before the international break. All of a sudden, the 22-year-old has found some form when his career at Old Trafford appears to be on the line. Is Hojlund finally coming good as the number nine United desperately needs to make Ruben Amorim’s system work?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks with Rasmus ... More Hojlund of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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To date, Hojlund has been a disappointment as a Manchester United player. Signed for an initial £64m plus £8m in add-ons from Atalanta, the Red Devils invested in a talent they believed would be moulded into one of the best centre forwards in the Premier League. Hojlund showcased his potential in Serie A and for the Danish national team.
So far, though, Hojlund has failed to add more to his game. His hold up play is poor. At first, Hojlund was afforded some leeway due to the lack of service he received from his Manchester United teammates. Now, though, the argument has shifted and many are looking at how Hojlund doesn’t offer himself in enough situations.
Amorim has used Joshua Zirkzee and even Bruno Fernandes through the middle such has been his dissatisfaction with Hojlund as a focal point. More recently, though, Hojlund has discovered some confidence. His finish against Leicester City was a good one and the hope is that he will build on this by embarking on a scoring streak.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund shoots during the UEFA Europa ... More League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Old Trafford on March 13, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Manchester United is at a crossroads as a club. In an ideal world, Amorim would be delivered several new players in the summer transfer window. However, United has serious financial concerns and has recently announced plans for a new £2 billion stadium. Amorim might have no choice but to work with what he inherited from Erik ten Hag.
Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but Manchester United might not have the funds to complete either deal. Hojlund has until the end of the season to prove why Amorim should persist with him as his first-choice centre forward. The Dane could still fulfil his potential as the player United believed he would be in the first place.