Rasmus Hojlund has revealed that Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has been a source of strength during his trying season at Old Trafford.
Footage of a downbeat Hojlund after the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Arsenal earlier this month showed the Dane consoling his compatriot after witnessing the striker’s goalscoring drought extend to 19 matches.
Hojlund, who finally ended the dismal run at 21 in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday night, revealed that Schmeichel has occasionally lent an ear during his inconsistent spell at Old Trafford, after arriving from Atalanta for £73million in 2023.
Having played nearly 400 matches for the Red Devils during their most successful period, there are few better than the former goalkeeper to glean wisdom on Manchester life from. But the 22-year-old was still keen to stress the importance of forging his own path at the club.
‘Peter helps me occasionally and listens to how I’m feeling – both when things are going well and when things are going badly,’ he told Danish outlet Tipsbladet. ‘I wouldn’t call him a father figure, but he helps 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.
Rasmus Hojlund has not find life easy at Manchester United since his £73million move from Atalanta in 2023
The Danish striker was consoled by Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel earlier this month
The former Manchester United and Denmark keeper made nearly 400 appearances for the Red Devils during their most successful period
‘It’s also a bit about finding your own path. Christian also helps me and the others, but if there are people who come and want a little help, I’m available, both for everyone here and Patrick [Dorgu] and Chido [Obi-Martin].’
Hojlund’s woes in front of goal this season are better understood in the context of United’s historically poor campaign. The club began the season under Erik ten Hag – following weeks of speculation surrounding his job – before abruptly pulling the plug in October after realising their erroneous decision.
Ruben Amorim assumed command in November but hopes of an immediate uptick were quickly dashed following a series of dismal performances and results.
However, United now appear to have finally found their footing and they are on a run of seven matches without defeat in all competitions.
Hojlund, who opened the scoring in their win over the Foxes, described the ‘cool’ Portuguese’s project as ‘exciting’ and claimed that he is ‘still very happy’ at the club.
‘I’m focused on the task with Ruben,’ he added. ‘Because that project is incredibly exciting, but Erik was of course one of the reasons why I moved to Manchester United. He was doing something good and was a talented coach, but it didn’t work out, and that’s how it is.
‘I’m still very happy to be at Manchester United. It’s the club I’ve always dreamed of playing for. And I’m really happy for Ruben. He’s a cool character and a cool person.’
Amorim heaped praise on the young striker after he ended his marathon goal drought at the King Power Stadium.
Hojlund claimed to be excited by Ruben Amorim’s project at the club, following the Portuguese’s arrival in November
Amorim said: ‘It’s really important for Rasmus. He’s doing the right things, helping the team, fighting for every ball. He scored a very good goal and I think he deserved it more than anybody.
‘It was a difficult goal with difficult control with his right foot. It’s a shame we stop for the national teams because we have confidence.
‘It was clear today my players are at the limit. We are going to use this window to rest and recover. It will be good. When we return, it will be like starting from scratch.’
Hojlund will hope to continue this momentum until the end of the season, with United among the favourites to lift the Europa League, amid reports of the club looking at attacking reinforcements in the summer.
According to Sky’s Florian Plettenberg, the four strikers said to have caught the club’s eye, include Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon – the striker who helped Amorim enjoy so much success with his former side.
The other names on the list are Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt, Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Victor Osimhen of Napoli, but on loan at Galatasaray.
The four names are some of the most sought-after forwards in European football, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea thought to be monitoring Sesko and Osimhen respectively.
United’s win over Leicester lifted them to 13th in the Premier League ahead of tough clashes against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City after the international break.
But their season will be defined by their progress in the Europe, which continues with a two-legged quarter-final against Ligue 1 side Lyon on April 1 and April 17.
