Rasmus Hojlund admits he has to take his fair share of responsibility for a marathon goal drought at Manchester United.
The £72million striker scored his first goal in 22 hours and 19 minutes in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Leicester – a barren run that stretched back 22 games and three months to mid-December.
The service to Hojlund has been criticised and he argued with teammate Diogo Dalot during United’s Europa League tie against Real Sociedad earlier this month when the Portugal defender failed to pass to him in front of goal.
But Hojlund accepts that ultimately it is up to him put the ball in the back of the net. ‘I think it comes down to my performances as well,’ he said. ‘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.
‘I can’t sit here and say everything, but I think we’re starting to get a bit more connection between myself and the players, and then starting to understand what my qualities are even more, and playing to them as well.
‘I’m developing and starting to understand their qualities, 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.’
Hojlund ended his lean streak in the 28th minute at the King Power Stadium, latching onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes and taking the ball wide of defender Wout Faes before firing home for his eighth goal of the season – halfway towards his tally last term. The 22-year-old Dane admitted that he was relieved, but not as much as when he got his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day in 2023, three-and-a-half months after making his debut.
‘I’m obviously very happy to get my goal and it gives me a lot of confidence. I’m sure more will come now,’ added Hojlund.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
