Rasmus Hojlund makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim as he reacts to Man Utd interview

07 August 2023 , 13:05

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Rasmus Hojlund makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim as he reacts to Man Utd interview

Manchester United's new £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund has likened his own mentality to that of Red Devils icon Cristiano Ronaldo after being unveiled at Old Trafford.

Hojlund got the chance to say hello to United's fans ahead of kick-off on Saturday when Erik ten Hag's men took on French outfit RC Lens in a pre-season friendly. Despite being only 20 and hardly prolific in front of goal last season for Atalanta, hopes are high that the Denmark international can lead the line successfully at Old Trafford.

Currently nursing a knock, it is unlikely that Hojlund will be fit and ready for United's opening game of the Premier League season at home against Wolves on August 14. The delay to his debut is likely to only increase excitement among the Red Devils fanbase, while his most recent remarks will have supporters salivating in anticipation.

Hojlund's confidence is believed to be one of the main reasons why Ten Hag was willing to fork out such a fee on a relatively unproven forward. That same confidence was on full display in a recent interview with the former Atalanta ace.

United's newest and most expensive recruit of the summer was asked about the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo by MUTV, to which he replied: "I think there’s an interview very early with Anderson and [Rio] Ferdinand - the reporter asked them ‘Who’s the best football player in the world?’ and he [Ronaldo] just said ‘Me’. I like this mentality, that’s the same mentality I go for."

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Ten Hag is certainly excited for Hojlund to get started if his comments are anything to go by, with the Red Devils boss adding: “He is really a front man, very direct to the goal, a very good presser, a physical presence and I think in the balance of this squad we needed that.

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Rasmus Hojlund has been unveiled as a Man United player (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"Alongside Rashford, [he is] another player who is direct and can score goals and that is all in his mind – he wants to score goals. I think he has such a huge potential and now it is up first to him to explore that and we will support him – all the coaches.

"l’m sure the whole team was waiting for a type like him and they will integrate and in the dressing room or on the pitch they will help him. But as I said, finally the player – he has to prove it."

The pressure is certainly on Hojlund to deliver in a United shirt given the money the Premier League giants have forked out to land his signature, but it seems like that won't phase the young striker.

Josh O'Brien