Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was delighted to see Rasmus Hojlund score his first goal for more than two months in his side’s 4-2 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday.
The Danish striker had not scored since his two goals against Luton Town in February, failing to find the net in his previous six games, before he converted Bruno Fernandes’ cross from close range against Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
“He knows how to do that, he showed it in January and February,” Ten Hag said after the game. “Then he had the injury, which obviously broke his rhythm. His goal was very important for him. Strikers need goals to build confidence and, now one has gone in, I am confident more will come.”
The 21-year-old striker, who arrived from Italian club Atalanta for £72 million last summer, had to wait until December 26 for his first Premier League goal, before he went on a prolific run of scoring seven goals in six games in January and February.
But since returning from a muscle injury he picked up at the end of February Hojlund’s form had slumped before his effort against the Blades.
It was United’s fourth goal in a game that was also their first Premier League win since defeating Everton at the start of March.
“It was a good game for the crowd,” Ten Hag said. “There were many positives today, the resilience to fight back after, two times, we were losing. Straightforward, also negatives. The two goals annoy me. Real giveaways. It can’t happen. Unacceptable. Losing focus and the second goal was about indiscipline. We have to learn from this and improve on that factor”
“But we scored good goals, our goals were very good as well, from set-plays and also open play. We created many more chances and I’m happy with the win and we move on.”
United’s victory was the first time they had scored four goals at home in the Premier League this season, which also helped to lift their goal difference from -1 to +1.
“One of our targets is we want to enjoy the crowd and our fans, to play dynamic football, attacking football. That is what we see, especially after the winter, very creative and we create a lot of chances and also score a lot of goals, which is good.”
“We are always striving for doing our best across the team. For instance, you see the number of goals we’re scoring in this moment is huge progress during the season, which is very good. If we have our back four back, then I’m sure we will also be more consistent in our defending.”
United’s captain Bruno Fernandes scored twice and assisted Hojlund’s goal to win praise from his manager. “He’s in very good form. He is very happy in his position on the field. So I think he finds his place in this team, he’s very creative, scoring goals, giving assists and is very important in transition, both ways. I’m very happy with his performance.”
United now sit sixth in the table, with five league games remaining this season. “We have to win every game,” Ten Hag said. “It’s expecting we are winning the league, as a club, we are not that far. We know where we are. We have to fight for a position to get into Europe. With all our problems, we have two opportunities, in the Premier League and FA Cup.”
