Man Utd star Hojlund matches sensational record Anelka set at Arsenal

11 February 2024 , 19:01

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Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)

Rasmus Hojlund has become the second-youngest player in Premier League history to score in five consecutive games.

The 21-year-old put Manchester United 1-0 up in their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, continuing an impressive run of goalscoring form which actually began when the Red Devils beat Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Hojlund scored United's winner that day and, after missing the next game against Nottingham Forest due to illness, he also found the back of the net in the draw against Tottenham and the wins over Wolves and West Ham.

And his goal against Villa means Nicolas Anelka is the only player to have scored five consecutive Premier League goals while younger. Anelka was just 19 when he completed the feat for Arsenal back in November 1998.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Hojlund since that Boxing Day goal against Villa, having gone 14 league games without scoring before that game. And legendary former United captain Roy Keane has been impressed by Hojlund in recent weeks.

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"Confidence, belief, and he always seems like he's going to take his chances," Keane told Sky Sports. "He gets into a good position, Maguire does well - the warning signs were there earlier in the half - and then he's just stood there, one-touch finish.

"Simple, effective, nice little finish and United have deserved it. For me, I think the more frustrating thing for Aston Villa is that the free kick which leads to the corner shouldn't have been a free kick, it doesn't matter whether Casemiro is offside or not!"

Scott McTominay scored the winner as United beat Villa 2-1 (Getty Images)

Villa did get back into the game in the second half, with Douglas Luiz scoring an equaliser. However, substitute Scott McTominay headed home an 86th-minute winner to leave United just six points off the top four.

"It looked like those two substitutions had killed the game but Erik ten Hag might've just won the game," United legend Gary Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports. "There's not been enough urgency from these Villa players.

"United break down the right and it's a great first-time cross by [Diogo] Dalot, it's delightful! McTominay, he's got a goal in him and it's a powerful header. They're in dreamland! The Champions League [dream] is alive!"

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Matthew Cooper