Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand believes Rasmus Hojlund’s lack of goals for his country in recent matches is just a ‘phase’.
Manchester United signed Hojlund from Atalanta for £72million last summer because they identified his potential to develop into one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
It took Hojlund until December to score his first Premier League goal, but he enjoyed an impressive run of form in 2024 and finished the campaign with 16 goals in all competitions.
Hojlund enjoyed a strong first year in England and he’s set to play a prominent role for Denmark at this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
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The 21-year-old was crucial in Euro 2024 qualifying and scored seven goals to help Denmark top their group. However, he’s scored just once in his last eight internationals.
Denmark’s manager Hjulmand was asked about Hojlund’s lack of goals in recent fixtures and said: “It comes in phases. Sometimes you have this period where you score a lot of goals.
“But thankfully Rasmus always makes a big impression in every game. He’s dangerous and he’s fully motivated but he always makes a difference, which is the most important thing.
“The goals will come and sometimes you’re gonna have to fight more for the goals and other times they’re just gonna go in every time you kick.”
Denmark play their opening Euro 2024 game against Slovenia on Sunday afternoon and Hojlund is set to start, regardless of his recent barren run in front of goal for his nation.
Christian Eriksen will also feature. The midfielder spoke to reporters ahead of the match and looked back on the cardiac arrest he suffered playing for Denmark in 2021.
“It’s been three years, a lot of things have happened in the meantime and so honestly I don’t think about it on a daily basis,” said Eriksen. “It’s not something I overthink. I’m just looking forward to playing football and I think about the positives.”
He added on Denmark’s run to the semi-finals at the last Euros: “I think those are great memories and of course it started very negative and very pessimistic.
“But later on everything got more optimistic and we got more free. It’s been a lot of years since then and we’re just going to focus on the games now.”
Eriksen has one year left on his United contract and has admitted he will consider his future away from Old Trafford when Denmark’s campaign in the Euros is over.
The experienced midfielder has made 72 appearances for United since signing on a free transfer in 2022.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
