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Harry Maguire has suggested that he and his Manchester United ‘always knew’ that Rasmus Hojlund would find form after his £72million move from Atalanta to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window in a new interview.
The Denmark international struggled in front of goal during the first-half of the side’s campaign and was forced to wait until December to score his first in the Premier League against Aston Villa.
But since breaking his duck in the English top flight, the 21-year-old has been enjoying a relatively purple patch, scoring five goals in his last five Premier League outings.
For former club captain Maguire, there has been no surprise that Hojlund has rediscovered his shooting boots, with the England international stressing that in training, his team-mate has always looked ‘an exceptional talent’.
Rasmus Hojlund has been enjoying a budding purple patch after his £72m summer move
Former club captain Harry Maguire (right) has praised his forward for showing off his talents
Maguire stressed that in training it was clear to see that Hojlund would eventually succeed
‘We’ve seen the talent he has and now it is really clicking for him in front of goal,’ Maguire told Sky Sports. ‘We always knew that was going to come because he’s an exceptional talent.
‘He’s going to be a big player for this club. I’m sure he’ll keep scoring goals and there are many more to come.
‘As senior players you see a young player coming through – and he holds himself so well and so mature people don’t realise his age – but he’s come in with a big weight on his shoulders to be the main striker for Man United.
‘He’s had to play every game because of injuries but you see in training the work he puts in, the talent he has, the physical capability to play in this league, we knew he’d be successful for this club.’
Hojlund’s firmer footing has been part of a wave of youth talent helping Ten Hag’s team to wrestle an uneven season back under their control, with academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo and Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho considered to be two of the brightest sparks in the squad.
‘It’s really encouraging, the young boys coming through at this club,’ the defender added.
‘This club has built a philosophy where young players get chances and if you take your chance you stay in the team and this manager has proved that.
Along with fellow young starlets Alejandro Garnacho (centre) and Kobbie Mainoo (right), Hojlund is part of a youth revolution at Old Trafford
‘Since he’s come in, the young players train with us a lot and when they train well and impress they stay and get more opportunities to impress.
‘It doesn’t matter how young you are, if you’re playing well you keep your place.’
Despite being one of the side’s elder statesmen, Maguire can attest that his manager is keen to reward good performances.
The 30-year-old was considered to be on the fringes of the squad at the start of the season, but amid a number of defensive injuries, Maguire stepped up and re-established himself as a regular starter in Ten Hag’s first-choice XI before his run was stymied by injury in December.
Since returning fit to face West Ham and see out a 3-0 home victory at the start of the month, Maguire has also proved that he is capable of playing on the left side of a central defence partnership – which has been previously disputed by Ten Hag.
‘The manager has always reiterated about his philosophies of having a left footer playing left centre-back and a left footer at left-back as well, obviously Victor (Lindelof) had to come in at half-time and play that role (when Luke Shaw was injured vs Villa),’ Maguire continued.
Stating that he was ‘comfotable’ playing on the left, Maguire said that he had confidence in playing alongside Raphael Varane in the position.
The 30-year-old has also recaptured his form after falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag
‘We haven’t had a settled back four for a while,’ Maguire said, underscoring Man United’s patchy injury record. ‘It’s been difficult.
‘The injury set me back a little bit and it was frustrating to be out for eight weeks but it’s nice to pick up the rhythm again.’
There has been no let up for the club with Lisandro Martinez’s return from a long-term injury cut agonisingly short after the Argentina star damaged his medial ligament in his right knee against West Ham.
Martinez is set to be sidelined for at least another eight weeks, taking in ties including upcoming Premier League fixtures against Luton Town, Fulham and Manchester City, and an FA Cup fifth round clash against Nottingham Forest at the end of the month.
