Man Utd: Erling Haaland summons inner Roy Keane with honest verdict on Rasmus Hojlund | Football | Sport

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Erling Haaland has praised Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund’s improvement after a tricky start to life in England but insists that producing goals is what he’s paid to do. Erik ten Hag will be counting down the days until his first-choice frontman is fit again after an ill-timed injury halted his unstoppable scoring streak.

Hojlund endured a slow start after sealing a dream £72million switch to Old Trafford in the summer, failing to score in his first 14 Premier League games.

But the 21-year-old has netted seven times in the following six, becoming the youngest-ever player to score in six consecutive Premier League games with his early brace in last month’s 2-1 win at Luton Town.

Hojlund has registered eight goals and two assists in his last eight appearances in all competitions, finally showcasing his wealth of potential.

An injury suffered during the Luton clash ruled him out of the games against Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, and his absence is expected to continue for Everton’s visit on Saturday.

Haaland scored his 80th City goal in 84 games to wrap up Sunday’s derby, a 3-1 scoreline in the hosts’ favour at the Etihad Stadium to compile the misery on United.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 outing against Hojlund’s former club FC Copenhagen, Haaland claimed that the Denmark international has to continue scoring goals.

He said: “His start was a bit hard, but then it became much better. When we played against him, he was really good.

“He’s a good player, he has to keep on developing and as a striker for Manchester United he has to score goals as well, that’s his job.”

United icon Roy Keane is no stranger to setting high standards. During his appearances as a Sky Sports pundit, he regularly tells players to ‘do their jobs’, much to the entertainment of his peers.

He would undoubtedly have agreed with Haaland’s supportive but demanding assessment of Hojlund’s time at United so far.

The Red Devils’ No. 11 has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, netting five times in six Champions League group games before his league scoring spree started.

Hojlund finished as the group stage’s joint-top goalscorer and became the youngest player to score in his first two Champions League games since Haaland in 2019.

United couldn’t take advantage of his European hot streak, finishing rock bottom of Group A with just one win. Ten Hag will be desperate to regain Hojlund’s services for his push to qualify for next season’s competition.



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