Rasmus Hojlund played down comparisons to Ruud van Nistelrooy after his stunning finish secured a 2-1 comeback victory for Manchester United against Brentford this weekend.
Match Overview
Brentford took the lead just before halftime through Ethan Pinnock, a goal that sparked controversy as United defender Matthijs de Ligt was being treated for a head injury at the time. However, United equalized shortly after the break with a brilliant strike from Alejandro Garnacho. Hojlund then completed the turnaround with a deft dink over Brentford’s goalkeeper Mark Flekken, igniting the crowd at Old Trafford.
This match marked Hojlund’s second start of the Premier League season, having missed the beginning of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. Manager Erik ten Hag has been cautious not to overexert the young striker, substituting him for Joshua Zirkzee after he scored the decisive goal.
Hojlund’s Reflections
Following the match, Hojlund expressed his joy at being back on the pitch alongside teammates Marcus Rashford, Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes, who provided the assist for his goal.
“I think all of us from the front clicked very well,” he told MUTV. “It was great to play with the lads at Old Trafford again. I’ve really missed it. Being 100 percent fit is a fantastic experience.”
The forward strategically chose not to engage too physically with Brentford’s defenders during the match, focusing instead on receiving the ball and creating opportunities.
“I had a good situation where I spun him, and I thought, ‘You know what?’ I just kept trying to focus on getting the ball into my feet and playing from there, and it worked well today. I’m very pleased with the team’s and my own performance.”
Hojlund on His Goal
Regarding his winning goal, Hojlund stated, “The goalkeeper did a great job to cover the spaces, and I only really saw one opportunity: to chip it into the far corner. I’ve worked hard to prepare for these moments, and it paid off today.”
When asked about the Van Nistelrooy comparisons, Hojlund quickly dismissed them:
“No! I don’t want to be compared to him. If you want to speak about him, he’s who I’m learning from and working closely with. It’s a big step for me, and I can develop a lot with his guidance. He’s doing a great job as an assistant manager and mentor.”
With this victory, Manchester United climbed to 11th in the Premier League table, and Hojlund’s return to form could be crucial as they aim to build on this momentum.