Nicklas Bendtner "more talented" than Man Utd star Rasmus Hojlund says ex-coach
Rasmus Hojlund has the right mentality to be a success at Manchester United, but he doesn’t have the natural talent of former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
That is the opinion of Hojlund’s youth coach, who has given his honest assessment of United’s £72million summer signing. The 20-year-old joined the club from Atalanta on a five-year contract in August, but has only made one brief appearance so far.
Hojlund arrived with a minor injury and made his debut off the bench in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal before the international break. Despite defeat, he showed plenty of promise and Christian Mouroux, of Danish side Horsholm-Usserod Idraetsklub, believes there is more to come, with his strong personality potentially a bigger asset than his ability.
“A good comparison can be made to the other rising superstar we had in Nicklas Bendtner. They are both number nines, both very physical and have this twinkle in the eye. They are humorous, outgoing and cheeky,” Moroux, who worked with Hojlund from the age of 12 and followed Hojlund to Brondby as a coach, told The Sun.
“Bendtner was probably a more naturally gifted footballer but that perhaps made him take things more lightly and get influenced by everything that affects you from the outside when you become a superstar.
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“Rasmus is completely different. Although I’m sure he will probably buy a bigger car and has a nice watch, it will not blow out of proportion.
“He has the right mentality for it. He is so disciplined. He is very aware of what hard work does for you and it’s hard work that has brought him to where he is today.”
Nicklas Bendtner didn't fulfil his potential at Arsenal (Paul Gilham/Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Rasmus Hojlund be a big success at Manchester United? Comment below.
Hojlund scored 10 goals in 34 games for Atalanta last season following a move from Austrian side Sturm Graz. He is only at the very start of his career and would do well to avoid some of the mistakes Bendtner made.
Bendtner left Denmark to join Arsenal as a youngster in 2004 and, although he spent 10 years with the club, scoring 47 goals in 174 appearances, he never fulfilled his potential. The centre-forward got a reputation as a party animal and for being unprofessional at times.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tried to mentor him, but it didn’t always work. "I don’t blame him for anything. He was always honest and he understands there are things I did that I’m not proud of,” Bendtner told The Guardian in 2020.
“I had dreams and hopes and I could have done more. There’s definitely some regret I didn’t take my career in a more positive way. Looking back definitely [made] me upset because there are moments which were very hurtful and difficult to talk about.
“I became too fond of the lifestyle that came with the money. I want to go back in time and hit that young lad on the head with a hammer.”
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