Rasmus Hojlund calls Manchester United’s comeback against Aston Villa ‘one of the best days of my life’ and insists he’s the ‘happiest man alive’ after the £72m striker finally broke his Premier League duck with a vital winner at Old Trafford

Rasmus Hojlund said he was 'the happiest man in the world' after his first Premier League goal capped Manchester United's dramatic comeback win over Aston Villa.

On the day new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wrote to fans outlining his ambitions, INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford watched from the stands at Old Trafford as United were booed after falling two goals behind.

But Alejandro Garnacho fired United level and Hojlund scored his first league goal at the 15th attempt to complete a 3-2 victory in the 82nd minute.

“I'm the happiest man in the world right now,” Hojlund said. 'You can also see that in the festivities. We believed until the end and showed a lot of character.

'It's one of the best days of my life. It's been a while since I played in the Premier League so I'm happy to get the first one and hopefully I can build on that and keep going.”

Hojlund's strike, combined with a brace from Alejandro Garnacho, saw United come back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa St. Old Trafford

Villa took the lead with goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker before Garnacho led the United charge.

“It's a great feeling,” said the young Argentina international. 'We are Manchester United, we are 2-0 down and we never give up. It's a great comeback for the team.

'We only needed one goal to get back into the game. It was just to score the first goal and keep pushing. Too many people talk about the attackers at Manchester United, we never score goals, so I'm also very happy for Rasmus.'

The timing could not have been better for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag after Ratcliffe's purchase of 25 percent of the club for £1.3 billion was announced on Christmas Eve following a 13-month strategic review.

“I don't think it had an impact on the players,” said Ten Hag.

“For me, I was kept informed throughout the process so I knew what was going on. We are looking forward to it. I think it is positive for the club that they intervene.

'They have a lot of experience in sport at the highest level: Formula 1, a cycling team, football clubs. They can only help and support us to achieve our goals. They want to work with us and we want to work with them.”

Earlier in the day, Ratcliffe wrote to fans vowing to do everything he can to return United to the top of world football.

Speaking after the match, the Argentine insisted he was delighted to see Hojlund get on the scoresheet

Addressing the Manchester United Supporters' Trust and members of the Fans' Forum and Fans' Advisory Board, the INEOS owner acknowledged INEOS' role as 'stewards of the club on your behalf'.

Expressing his ambition to bring success back to Old Trafford, the 71-year-old said: 'I wanted to write to you at this time, given the crucial role of the fans to the future of Manchester United, as we recognize our responsibility as custodians. from the club on your behalf.

“I believe we can bring sporting success to the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success the club has enjoyed. It will take time and patience, as well as rigor and the highest level of professional management.

'You are ambitious for Manchester United and so are we. There are no guarantees in sport and change may inevitably take time, but we are in it for the long term and together we want to help return Manchester United to where the club belongs: at the top of English, European and world football. . I take that responsibility very seriously.

'Please note that, as with any deal, it is subject to the usual regulatory approval process and therefore we do not expect to speak publicly about club matters until after the deal has been completed.'