30 December 2023 , 19:30
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Rasmus Hojlund was a notable absentee for Manchester United on Saturday night with the forward unable to build on his first Premier League goal as a result.
The Red Devils suffered a 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest, as Hojlund's replacement Antony failed to make an impression. Erik ten Hag was without his £72million man and Marcus Rashford stepped in to fill the void. Hojlund has had to be patient domestically with his first league goal only coming on Boxing Day after 14 outings
However the Dane was denied the chance to build on that winning goal against Aston Villa by illness. Hojlund has been looking to prove himself in an underperforming side and Jamie Redknapp concedes his absence is a blow to the player and United.
He said on Sky Sports : "You want a player to get momentum and I think everyone in football was delighted for him, apart from Aston Villa fans. It was one of those moments of pure emotion of football and what it can do for you. He’s a man under huge pressure and (Federico) Macheda scored a similar goal a few years ago in a game and it had that feeling of pure emotion about it - him not playing today is not just a blow for him, but a blow to the team.”
The bulk of Hojlund's goals have come in the Champions League, where he is among the competition's top scorers. His exploits in Europe showed what he was capable of but he had struggled to convert that form to the weekend.
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Ten Hag maintained that he never doubted that Hojlund would begin finding the net, referencing his efforts in Europe. He said before the Forest clash: "I have to repeat myself but I trust him, I knew he could [score in the Premier League].
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first league goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day (Offside via Getty Images)"His goals in the Champions League and in Denmark showed what he did as a young player in Austria, in Italy and he is a very strong character. But, of course, this goal will give him confidence and belief that he is going to score and he is going to score more goals from this point on, I am sure."
Rashford was called upon to lead the line - and scored - although he prefers playing from a wider position. Nevertheless, where he's played, the academy graduate has under delivered after a career-best effort in front of goal last season. This term he's notched on just three occasions - including his goal on Saturday.