As he assesses the new acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is eager to forge a “connection” with the player.
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Hojlund joined the Red Devils from Serie A club Atalanta in the summer transfer window, and the two parties exchanged £72 million.
Despite only being 20, Hojlund will be under pressure to score goals this season despite having played in 88 senior matches and scoring 27 goals in that time.
He is regarded as the long-term replacement for the successful Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United last November as a result of a contentious conversation with Piers Morgan.
Before the international break, in the Red Devils’ 3-1 loss to Arsenal, Hojlund made his debut, coming off the bench for the final 23 minutes of play.
Hojlund has been dealing with a back issue for the majority of his time at Manchester United, but Fernandes is now inspired by the player’s improvement.
The Man Utd captain said of Hojlund: “He’s a kid that I have seen so far who obviously wants to work he wants to get into the team. He is someone who is always trying to speak to everyone.
He is motivated to get in shape as quickly as possible, and I believe he will provide us a lot of energy, strength, and hopefully a lot of objectives.
“I want to build that connection with him, as well as building that connection with the other wingers and the other strikers because I’ve always said I’m here and everyone behind them is here to serve them.
“We want them to be happy, to believe that the ball is coming, that they will receive their opportunities, and obviously, we want them to score their goals.
“I desire goal scoring from my strikers and wingers.” At Old Trafford, I want to see their joyful expressions as they celebrate in front of the Stretford End. It must be a fantastic sensation even when someone else scores.
Gary Neville, a great of Manchester United, is eager to watch Hojlund “mess people about” following a “encouraging start” to life at Old Trafford.
When asked about Hojlund’s debut on Sky Sports, Neville responded, “Manchester United have not got a striker they can hit. Although Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford aren’t your typical target men, Ronaldo wasn’t either, and it appears that he will cause trouble for others. The fact that he is still learning the game is a plus.
“Even though he has only played a few seasons of top-level football, many believe he will one day become Manchester United’s Erling Haaland. They lack a qualified someone to support or assist him.
Added Neville: “[Anthony] Martial. We have been keeping an eye on him for the past eight or nine years, and Ten Hag neither needs nor wants him. It was a promising beginning for this youngster [Hojlund], who had a high price tag.