Erik ten Hag gives exciting insight into plans for Rasmus Hojlund at Man Utd
- Man Utd have completed the £72m signing of Hojlund
- Striker was presented to fans before Saturday's friendly against Lens
- A minor injury will delay Hojlund's debut
By Tom Gott
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained why fans should be excited about "real frontman" Rasmus Hojlund after his £72m transfer from Atalanta.
Hojlund's move was made official on Saturday as the Dane was presented to fans at Old Trafford before the 3-1 victory over Lens.
The 20-year-old played no part in the game and may well have a short wait for his debut as reports suggest he has arrived in Manchester carrying a minor injury, but when he does eventually take to the field, Ten Hag has big expectations.
"He is a real frontman," Ten Hag told MUTV. "Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence. I think in the balance of this squad, we needed that, alongside [Marcus] Rashford, another player who is direct and can score a goal. That is all in his mind: he wants to score goals.
"I think he has huge potential. And now it's up to him first, to explore that and we will support him, all the coaches, the team, the team was waiting for a type like him. They will integrate him in the dressing room and in the pitch, they will help him.
"Finally, the player has to prove it. That is the character we need; we need hungry players and he is a player who is so determined to score goals, winning games and winning trophies."
READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed
With Hojlund watching on from the sidelines, Man Utd's forward line dazzled against Lens. Marcus Rashford and Antony both scored while Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho stole the show, leaving Ten Hag delighted with his side's performance.
"For Rashy, of course, a typical Rashy goal I would say, how we come out of the back from a defender and then the finishing, a great assist from Antony, I’m very pleased with his performance, he’s improving," he said.
"With Garna I think that second goal is a brilliant goal, the movement, the dribble from Garna, then inside the movement and the timing from Rashford, it opens up and it’s a great pass from Garna and a first touch and finish [from Antony]."
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN's MAN UTD PODCAST: THE PROMISED LAND
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette react to the news Manchester United have agreed a fee with Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund.
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!