Gary Neville knows a thing or two about what is required to play for Manchester United, and he has often found it tough watching the team since he stopped playing.
The past decade has been tricky for the entire Manchester United fanbase, and after hitting rock bottom multiple times, we look for signs of green shoots of recovery.
The 2023/24 season was a particularly tricky one to negotiate, with the team finishing a dismal eighth place in the league, and taking a step back from a positive first season under Erik ten Hag.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho provided reasons for positivity, scoring in the FA Cup Final win, which put a positive gloss on the season.
Another who caught the eye was striker Rasmus Hojlund, who ended the season as top scorer.
Gary Neville praises Rasmus Hojlund
Club legend Gary Neville was on punditry duty for ITV for Denmark’s opening clash of the tournament against Slovenia.
Neville used the platform to discuss his views of Rasmus Hojlund, expressing that he was very glad with what he saw from the striker last season, in testing circumstances.
The club legend said he was pleased with the ‘personality’ shown by Hojlund, commenting ‘he was the one’ whose mentality really struck him.
Neville explained: “I think he has done well. If you think about what Manchester United has done to players in the last 10 years.
“They’ve broken seasoned internationals who signed for big money. The lack of stability at the club over the last 12 months, all the changes particularly at the top.
“They’ve got no centre-forwards other than him, he’s got wide players out of form, they weren’t giving him the type of service he needed, and he’s scored 16 goals in 35 starts.
“And most of all he proved, he stood up that kid, actually during the tough times of the season, he was the one I thought ‘what a personality’.
“I think he’s had a very good first season, and he’s got the potential to be something really good.”
Hojlund’s Euro 2024 opener a struggle
Rasmus Hojlund did not find the net in Denmark’s opener, overshadowed by Manchester United teammate Christian Eriksen.
It was a tough match for Hojlund, he did not get many goalscoring opportunities, something he has become familiar with at times for United.
The Dane kept going, and it won’t stop him from going again in the next game. If anything, it will make him more determined.
Hojlund’s overall record for Denmark’s national team is seven goals in 14 matches.