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Hojlund wants to fight for a regular place at MU. |
There was a small but symbolic detail that occurred after the 4-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series on July 31. Rasmus Hojlund walked quickly towards the group of reporters and asked directly: "Does anyone want to interview me?".
That proactive gesture was more than just a courtesy to the media. It was the act of a player rewriting his own story. And more importantly, he wanted people to listen.
Hojlund's Message
Hojlund does not shy away from the doubts surrounding the future. On the contrary, he embraces them with the spirit of a warrior.
Despite Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko – a 22-year-old striker with great potential from RB Leipzig – Hojlund is not afraid. He has not asked for guarantees from coach Ruben Amorim, nor has he expressed any dissatisfaction. Instead, the Dane has chosen to show his character: “I am staying to fight.”
And he's been fighting, literally. Höjlund has scored, played convincingly and inspired in both of his recent friendlies. Against Bournemouth in particular, he opened the scoring with a powerful header after an assist from his compatriot and close teammate in the Reds, Patrick Dorgu.
Not only that, Hojlund also left his mark on the team's third goal, although the ball only accidentally touched his foot before rolling into the net. He ran, pressed, and linked up well with the second line - a completely different image from the lackluster version of last season.
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Hojlund had a forgettable 2024/25 season. |
Indeed, 2024/25 is a year to forget. Not only Hojlund but also Manchester United are deep in crisis. 15th place in the Premier League is unacceptable for a team with a winning streak.
And in that chaos, Hojlund - then only in his second year with Manchester United - had to shoulder a burden beyond his 22 years. The satellites around him were unstable, and Hojlund himself was still a raw material that needed time to be perfected.
But the commendable thing is that Hojlund doesn't run away from responsibility. He admits that he wasn't good enough, that he could have done more. It's that attitude that makes Hojlund the kind of player any coach would want to keep.
“Not everyone scores 100 goals before the age of 22,” said Hojlund. “But I am learning and improving every day. I worked a lot during the holidays, especially on my movement and positioning in the box.”
He revealed that he often watches tactical videos with the Amorim coaching staff, and even receives advice from Peter Schmeichel and Louis Saha - veterans who have played for the "Red Devils".
Hojlund is different
It's clear that this is a different Hojlund. More confident. More focused. And above all, ready to step into the light again.
Hojlund doesn’t demand to be a starter. But he wants to prove he deserves a chance. “Competition? I welcome it. It makes me sharper. And it makes the team stronger,” Hojlund said.
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MU should not rush to abandon Hojlund. |
There is no denying that Benjamin Sesko is a bright talent. But like Hojlund two years ago, Sesko has never played in the Premier League, and has never known the pressure of having to carry a top team in crisis. So why didn’t Man United take the less risky option: continue to trust the man they recruited at a record price for a young striker?
Hojlund now has a good foundation to thrive. The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee provide healthy competition - something he lacked last season. The team's style of play has also improved under Amorim - who places a strong emphasis on intensity, high pressing and linking up the lines. It's the ideal ecosystem for a 'modern number 9' like Hojlund to thrive.
And don't forget, Hojlund is only 22. His progress shouldn't be judged by last season's goalscoring numbers - it's how he reacts to doubt. Instead of complaining or giving up, Hojlund has chosen to reinvent himself.
Perhaps it’s time for United to look at Hojlund differently: not as a £72m flop, but as a gem in the making. A gamble they haven’t quite turned around.
And if Old Trafford is to rebuild its empire on a foundation of ambition and character, then Hojlund deserves to be part of that journey. Not because of what he has done - but because of how he has dealt with what he has not done.
Source: https://znews.vn/hojlund-dung-day-gui-toi-hau-thu-cho-mu-post1573186.html
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