Rasmus Hojlund is ‘fired up’ to face former club Copenhagen, reveals Erik ten Hag ahead of Man United’s Champions League clash
- Rasmus Hojlund is ‘enthusiastic’ against former club FC Copenhagen on Tuesday
- The Danish striker started out at the club before moving abroad
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ‘It all begins!’
When Rasmus Hojlund faces FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday, his former club will have 72 million reasons to wonder what could have happened.
Hojlund never really felt appreciated by his hometown team. He made just three starts in 32 appearances before moving to Sturm Graz for £1.5 million in January last year.
He joined Atalanta seven months later for £15m, and United made the move in the summer by agreeing to pay the Italians £72m.
Now the 20-year-old striker will feature for the first time against Copenhagen, determined to prove they made a big mistake by letting him go.
“You know it’s a special game for him,” United manager Erik ten Hag said on Monday. “He grew up there and you know he’ll be very motivated.”
Rasmus Hojlund is ‘excited’ to face his former club Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening
United considered a £12 million offer before Hojlund moved to Atalanta, but regarded him as largely unproven, having only played in Denmark and Austria.
As he continued to progress in Italy, they increased their interest in September last year and had a scout at every match.
Wary that Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham were in trouble, United football director John Murtough left the pre-season tour in Houston and flew to Atalanta’s training base in Bergamo.
Negotiations lasted more than 12 hours before Murtough secured a deal at 3.30am for £64m plus £8m in add-ons.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made the revelation ahead of the European match
Hojlund’s three goals in nine games for United all came in the Champions League and Ten Hag is confident there will be many more to come.
“There were two fantastic goals against Galatasaray, as well as the one in Munich,” said the United boss.
‘He’s always in scoring positions. I am sure – the same goes for Marcus Rashford – that if we as a team do what we have to do, they will get into scoring position. Then it’s about the finish.’
