Rasmus Hojlund issues defiant statement after ending 22-game goal drought in win vs. Leicester City | OneFootball

Rasmus Hojlund has insisted he has what it takes to be the main man to lead the line for Manchester United after he ended a marathon goal drought in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

Hojlund broke the deadlock for United just before the half-hour mark, getting on the end of a brilliant ball from Bruno Fernandes before firing home well past the reach of Mads Hermansen.

Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes scored a goal apiece in the second half to clinch all three points for United.

Before finding the back of the net at the King Power Stadium, Hojlund had not scored for 22 games or 22 hours and 19 minutes – a barren run that stretched back to December, when he grabbed a Europa League double against Viktoria Plzen.

The 22-year-old spoke to Manchester Evening News and admitted that he was relieved but not as much as he was when he registered his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day in 2023. This strike came more than three months after he made his debut for the Red Devils.

Hojlund told MEN, “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.”

On what Ruben Amorim demands from him, Hojlund continued, “He wants me to stretch the pitch. I think that’s quite obvious. Get me into the channels and keep the centre-backs occupied.”

“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.”

The Dane added, “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 to understand their qualities as well, and 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 also opened up on his relationship with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee. In recent games, Zirkzee has primarily been used in a midfield attacking role and has shown great promise there.

“We didn’t get to play too much together in the beginning of the season, but now he’s starting to play in a different sort of role or position and he can still do the other part, but playing together with him is very nice.”

“He’s a lovely lad and I think competition is a good thing, but I think we also support each other’s qualities very well.”

United are back in action on April 1 when they go away to the City Ground to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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