06 February 2024 , 09:26
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West Ham star Michail Antonio has hailed Rasmus Hojlund as the “complete package” following his stunning recent form.
The Danish forward endured a slow start to life as a Manchester United player following a £72m switch from Atalanta. Despite five goals in six Champions League games, Hojlund failed to score in each of his opening 14 Premier League outings. He has now scored in his last four league appearances, while he also has two assists to his name. The 21-year-old also found the net in the Red Devils’ FA Cup success against Newport County.
Hojlund’s most recent strike came in Man United’s 3-0 win against West Ham at Old Trafford. Having seen the ten-time Denmark international up close and personal, Hammers forward Antonio has been full of praise and claims his quality was clear to see from the off.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “To be fair I liked what I saw at the beginning the season. Obviously you rate strikers on scoring goals, but it's not about just scoring goals, it's about what you bring as well to the team and he brings a physicality, he's been able to get other people involved, he's a willing runner, and now obviously scoring the goals.
“The goal the scored yesterday was quality, the fake shot dragged onto his weak right foot, into the bottom corner, great strike through the ball. I really rate him.”
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Antonio continued to praise Hojlund for his form and has been left impressed with the Dane’s attitude in overcoming his difficult form earlier this season. He added: “The one thing with a striker is people are always going to look at you to score the goals, and there's going to be a time you only human where you're going to be without the goals.
Michaeil Antonio is a big fan of Rasmus Hojlund (Getty Images)How many goals will Rasmus Hojlund end the season with? Share your predictions in the comments below
“But as long as you believe in yourself, you've got self-belief and you know that when you get an opportunity you're going to take it, and when you take it you feel like you're going to go on a run, that's the most important thing. Be able to control yourself and and just believe that you're good enough to do it. He wouldn't be in a situation he is right now at United if he couldn't score goals.
“A centre forward is being able to bring players into the game, run in behind, and as a striker you're meant to get goals, but it's being the whole complete package instead of just getting goals because it's a team sport at the end of the day and the team's meant to help as well.”
Hojlund will be aiming to keep up his hot form this weekend as Man United travel to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. His record currently sits at ten goals in 28 appearances in all competitions.