The first half of this Premier League season was a frustrating stretch for Manchester United summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.
After seeing a goal ruled out on his firstPremier League start against Brighton in mid-September, Rasmus Hojlund experienced a tough start in English football.
Not even five goals in the Champions League stages could take away from his frustration at domestic level, which was finally snapped with a winning goal at Old Trafford against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
He’s been on a goalscoring run since, breaking records, with only injury slowing him down. But he’s had another reminder of what that early spell at United was like.
Rasmus Hojlund frustrated with Denmark
Rasmus Hojlund was a starter on Saturday as Denmark were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Switzerland.
The Manchester United striker was a frustrated figure during his 83 minutes on the pitch, managing only three touches inside the opposition box. He attempted two shots which landed off target.
Hojlund’s annoyance was noted by the Danish press, who suggested he looked like he was ‘about to boil over’ as he screamed at his teammates for better service.
Tipsbladet today reported of Denmark’s lack of creativity: “It’s a real shame when we finally have a quality striker in Rasmus Hojlund, but he has to be put on stage – and Denmark didn’t manage to do that at all.”
It’s a familiar problem for Hojlund, whose problems in the first half of the season were mainly caused by the poor quality balls into him, or a complete lack of.
Former coach Rene Meulensteen told Talksport in December that United’s attack was simply not working to Hojlund’s benefit, commenting: “The problem is… he is flanked by two individual players who have no intention to give him any kind of service because they want to create things for themselves.”
United’s attack has improved since, but this previous international fixture was a rewind to his frustrations with at club level, and to be fair, there will be times forErik ten Hag‘s side where it happens in the future too.
While it would have been nice to see Hojlund score goals for his country, the main objective was for him to come through the game unscathed.
Christian Eriksen in the firing line
During their successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Christian Eriksen was so good that he was named as the fourth best player – Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes was number one.
The outlook for Eriksen is not so rosy right now, he has only one start at club level in 2024, and that has been while Mason Mount is out injured.
A lack of game time at club level is going to have aknock on impact for the international stage too. There are big expectations on him.
Tipsbladet’s view was that Denmark’s midfield of Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney was too dull, suggesting ‘the trio played with a belt and braces’.
“There is none of the three who can put a man or two, so it became predictable, the gaze mostly behind or to the side and completely harmless,” their report added.
Denmark are in action against the Farore Islands on Tuesday night. Better is not just expected, it’s demanded.