Denmark national team caretaker manager Lars Knudsen has high expectations for Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund despite his slow start to the season.
While Hojlund returned to training prior to Man United’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace, the Dane missed the first four Premier League games of the season due to his lingering hamstring injury.
Even though he has since returned to the pitch, Hojlund warned last week that he still doesn’t feel ready to play a full 90 minutes, still struggling to completely rid himself of the hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months.
As a result of the lingering injury, Hojlund sat out of training with the Danish national side early on during the ongoing international break.
Despite Hojlund’s recent troubles, Knudsen is convinced that the 21 year old will prove to be a valuable asset for United.
“Rasmus must have the opportunity to really play his way back into his highest gear, and he is well on his way,” Knudsen told PLBold.
“Rasmus is a fantastic player, and he delivers a fine effort. He has a really high level. You have to remember that he has only just come back. This was only his third start this season, and he has basically missed an entire preseason,” Denmark’s caretaker manager concluded.
Knudsen’s comments came after Hojlund’s cameo during Denmark’s tight 2-2 draw with Switzerland. While Hojlund was unable to find the back of the net, the caretaker manager remains confident in the youngster’s ability to rise to new heights.
If Knudsen’s words are to be taken literally, it appears that he would like United and Denmark to provide Hojlund with ample playing time so that he is afforded a fair opportunity to succeed.
While the Denmark forward has not yet hit top gear since arriving at the club last summer, any improvement will surely be welcomed by manager Erik ten Hag given his squad’s lack of firepower up front.
United’s alternative striker, Joshua Zirkzee, has struggled to adjust to life at Old Trafford, scoring just a single goal in all competitions this season, namely the winner against Fulham on his United debut.
Even when playing for the Netherlands, Zirkzee appears to be struggling, being largely ineffective in a disappointing 1-1 draw with Hungary last week.
While some may view United’s goalless draw with Aston Villa to be a valuable point away from home, the match served as yet another example of the ineffectiveness of United’s attack, highlighting the need for improved performances from the likes of Hojlund to turn the club’s season around.
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