Erik Ten Hag Backs Rasmus Hojlund To Succeed At Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has backed his signing Rasmus Hojlund to start scoring regularly this season.

The Dane who joined from Atalanta in the summer for a transfer fee of £72 million has so far failed to score in six appearances in the Premier League.

However, he has scored three times in his first two games in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, and Ten Hag hopes he can add to this total against his former club FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

“I think he’s a player who will always be in scoring positions in our team,” said Ten Hag at a press conference on Monday. “I am sure, and I am confident he will score goals, and Marcus Rashford the same.”

“First of all, we have to work our routines, he misses pre-season, the first four games, but I think from the moment he came in, he gave the team a lot. We’re building the routines and that spilt moment will give him more time and to make better decisions for more goals, but the goals against Galatasaray were brilliant, also the one in Munich.”

Ten Hag is hoping Hojlund playing against his former club, where he made 32 appearances between 2020 and 2022, will give him even more inspiration. “He grew up at this club and he will be highly motivated. He will send that in the right direction and the right balance.”

After losing their opening two games in the Champions League, United know they cannot afford to drop more points against the Danish side on Tuesday. “We have to win every game, if you lose the first two games, you definitely have to win,” said Ten Hag.

The United manager also stressed the importance of another Danish international Christian Eriksen, even though he is now no longer an automatic first choice this season, and has so far been restricted to four starts from 12 games.

“He takes part in every game and you see his importance when he’s on the pitch,” Ten Hag said. “He has a big influence on our team by creating and he’s a brilliant player, someone who is very important to our squad. We have many good players, and there’s internal competition. In the midfield department, there is huge competition.”

On Tuesday United will be without their Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who is suspended after being sent off against Galatasaray, but Ten Hag confirmed the Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilon could be available again after a short absence through injury.

The game against FC Copenhagen will be United’s first at Old Trafford since the death of their legendary former player Sir Bobby Charlton on Saturday, and Ten Hag hopes the emotion of the night will carry his players to victory.

“Bobby is a legend, a giant, not only for Manchester United but for football. His legacy, what he left, was high standards we have to live with every day. We are professional, it’s our job, but we must use those emotions in the right way.”

“It’s always special every night at Old Trafford, the fans are always so behind us, it’s a strong connection. The last home game against Brentford, when the game was going against us, they stayed behind us. The fans stick with us in adverse moments, we fight together, so definitely after the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, their hero, legend and giant, I’m sure it will be a very emotional evening.”

“He is in front of Old Trafford, with Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us and they are always a huge inspiration for us, every day and for every game.”