In Focus: Hojlund showing promise ahead of Copenhagen family reunion

Rasmus Hojlund has been thrust into a leading role as Manchester United's centre forward this term.

The 20-year-old's lack of experience is showing in his early performances at Old Trafford — but he has also provided glimpses of why United spent over £72million to sign him from Atalanta in July.

Ahead of what promises to be an emotional night for the striker when the Red Devils host his boyhood club FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, we analyse the beginning of his career in England.

Turn of pace

Hojlund has looked full of promise rather than productivity, which — ignoring the transfer fee — is to be expected of a young striker with limited experience.

The Dane has proved that he has the tools to make a success of life at Old Trafford, though — not least his blistering pace.

According to figures released by the Premier League, the marksman was the fifth-fastest player in the division prior to the first international break of the season, clocking up a speed of 35.45 km/h.

And his second goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier this month was another example of his physicality as he stormed past the opposition backline to score.

Clinical touch

Composure has been missing from Hojlund's domestic outings, however.

Of all regular Premier League players yet to score this season, United's summer signing ranks top for big chances missed and second for shots and expected goals, suggesting he has been among the division's most wasteful players.

Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins — on nine and five league goals respectively — have missed the most big chances in the league, though, so ranking high up in that list is not necessarily bad news.

Having netted three times in two Champions League games, it seems likely that Hojlund's Premier League form will soon catch up with his European efforts.

Call for patience

And manager Erik ten Hag is not disheartened by his new forward's profligacy in front of goal.

Instead, the United boss is stressing the need for patience as Hojlund aims to turn his luck around.

He said: "It's not a concern.

"He is scoring for Denmark, he is scoring for us in the Champions League so he will score for us also in the Premier League.

"In every game, when we do what we have to do as a team, we always get in scoring positions and then it’s about finishing."

Family affair

Tonight's Champions League match against Copenhagen will motivate Hojlund to rediscover his scoring touch more than ever.

The striker was born in the Danish capital and made his senior breakthrough at the club aged 17 in 2020 — but left after not being given much of a chance to impress, according to his father Anders.

He said: "He only spent six months in the first team where he mainly had 10, 12 or 15 minutes where he was asked to run everywhere."

Even more notably, Rasmus could be coming up against his younger twin brothers, Emil and Oscar, who now both play for the Danish champions.

It would be a good time for Rasmus to rise to the occasion.