Rasmus Hojlund has opened up on the assistance and support he receives from Peter Schmeichel after a video surfaced showing striker being consoled by the legendary ex-Manchester United goalkeeper.
The forward has endured a difficult second season at United, managing just three goals in total within the Premier League with only nine games remaining of the campaign.
A concerning 21-match barren spell in front of goal, stretching all the best way back to mid-December, only intensified questions over Hojlund’s long-term future on the Theatre of Dreams.
Hojlund’s struggles even provoked United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to query the club’s decision to shell out £64million on the 22-year-old in an explosive interview with the BBC last week.
Nonetheless, the young Dane finally hit the goal in United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday night and he’ll little question be hoping to return from the international break with a renewed sense of belief.
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Facing the media from Denmark’s training camp, Hojlund was asked a few recent clip that went viral on social media, wherein the attacker was seen having a heart-to-heart with fellow countryman Schmeichel.
The video in query – which has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on social media – was filmed within the wake of United’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim opted to call Joshua Zirkzee up front over Hojlund.
‘Peter helps me occasionally and listens to how I’m feeling, each when things are going well and when things are going badly,’ Hojlund told reporters this morning.
‘I wouldn’t call him a father figure, but he helps rather a lot because he’s been through it before.
‘He knows what it means to play for Manchester United as a Dane.
‘It’s nice to have someone to spar with on that front.’
United’s Danish contingent has grown significantly in recent months, with Patrick Dorgu and Chido Obi-Martin arriving from Lecce and Arsenal respectively.
And while Hojlund remains to be a young player himself, he made it clear he was all the time available to help to those less experienced players within the dressing room.
‘Christian [Eriksen] also helps me and the others, but when there are individuals who come and need slightly help, I’m available,’ he added.
‘That applies to everyone here and Patrick and Chido.’
Hojlund was sorry to see ‘talented coach’ Erik ten Hag relieved of his duties last October given the role the Dutchman played in his big-money move from Atalanta two years ago.
But Ruben Amorim has made a direct impression on Hojlund along with his demeanour and ‘exciting’ vision for the club.
‘I’m focused on the duty at hand with Ruben since the project is incredibly exciting,’ he continued.
‘But Erik was, after all, certainly one of the the explanation why I moved to Manchester United. He was doing something good and was a talented coach, nevertheless it didn’t work out, and that’s the way it is.
‘I’m still very glad to be at Manchester United. It’s the club I’ve all the time dreamed of playing for.
‘I’m also really glad for Ruben. He’s a cool character and a cool person.’
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