When Rasmus Hojlund limped off after scoring against Arsenal in Los Angeles this summer, we didn’t expect it would be another two months before the Manchester United striker was back in action.
Leny Yoro’s broken metatarsal on his debut became the bigger story that day, with Hojlund’s hamstring injury at the SoFi Stadium given second billing.
As United have rather stumbled into the new season, short on goals and lacking in guts, the Dane’s absence has been keenly felt though.
Erik ten Hag’s side came into this game with just five goals between them in seven Premier League outings – one less than Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo – so it was obvious where the main problem lay.
Having scored on his comeback against FC Porto in Europe earlier this month, Hojlund claimed his first league goal of the season as United came from behind to win.
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Manchester United came from behind to beat Brentford on Saturday
Hojlund produced a deft finish as he lifted the ball over Brentford’s goalkeeper to secure United’s comeback win
The £72million striker gives Erik ten Hag the physicality and directness missing elsewhere in his squad
The £72million striker gives Ten Hag the physicality and directness missing elsewhere in his squad. Not that Hojlund lacks finesse. His lovely dink over Mark Flekken for the winner was the finish of an accomplished goal scorer who claimed 16 in his first season at United.
Ten Hag will also have been encouraged by the way he linked up play with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, who combined for the equaliser after Ethan Pinnock had headed Brentford in front before half-time.
Garnacho, whose side-footed finish was equally special, has been United’s most potent attacking threat in Hojlund’s absence this season while Rashford is looking more like his old self.
‘It was an annoying time to get the injury, but I feel great now and feel ready to move on,’ said Hojlund.
‘I tried to focus on (the fact) that I’m very privileged to be a professional footballer. Obviously, there’s downsides and upsides, and we get criticised, but also sometimes we are superstars.
‘All in all, I’m living the dream every day. I’m playing for Manchester United, and having the No.9 on my back. It’s a good life. I think I’m in a great spot right now.’
Hojlund inherited the shirt made famous by the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and Andy Cole from Anthony Martial in the summer.
Erik ten Hag (left) celebrates as Hojlund (right) scored United’s winner against Brentford
Alejandro Garnacho (left) led United’s comeback with a stunning volley at the back-post
‘It means a lot, but I’m not trying to put extra pressure on it,’ he added. ‘In the end, it’s a number. But it’s got a great meaning for this football club and also for me.’
Victory has taken some of the heat off Ten Hag as he heads to Istanbul this week for a meeting with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
The United manager was furious that Matthijs de Ligt was sent to the touchline to have a head cut treated for the third time when Pinnock scored from a corner, although it’s hard to see what other choice referee Sam Barrott had.
Ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were booked for protesting and the FA may take a closer look at first-team coach Darren Fletcher’s half-time rant at the officials in the tunnel.