Hojlund explains Cristiano Ronaldo's role in him securing transfer to Man Utd

11 November 2023 , 14:44

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Hojlund explains Cristiano Ronaldo's role in him securing transfer to Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund has opened up on how his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, inspired him on his journey to Manchester United.

The Danish striker has endured a rollercoaster first few months at Old Trafford, scoring five goals in four Champions League games but failing to find the net or register an assist in eight Premier League appearances, with the Red Devils losing five of their opening 11 top-flight matches. 20-year-old Hojlund idolised ex-United superstar Ronaldo growing up and is hoping that Saturday's clash with Luton will see him take the first step in becoming a Premier League icon just like the Portuguese legend.

In fact, Ronaldo's high-profile exit after a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag last November paved the way for the Denmark international to join United in a £72million transfer from Italian side Atalanta, as the Red Devils were in desperate need of a striker. "Cristiano has always been like my idol growing up," Hojlund told TeamViewer Diaries.

"I always thought he was the best football player in the world and I just tried to learn from him. He is the greatest goalscorer ever, probably as well. I've always looked at him back in the day where he was more of a dribbler and now he's a proper, proper goalscorer."

But it's not just the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's 863 career goals which have inspired Hojlund to try and emulate Ronaldo, it's also the current Al Nassr talisman's relentless work ethic. "You know he had proper talent, but he worked hard to be the best ever and I like that about him," Hojlund added.

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Have your say! Will Rasmus Hojlund come good at Man Utd? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.

Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score his first Premier League goal after eight games (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

"I think there's a lot of things I can improve, which is, of course, a good thing because then I think I can develop into being an even greater striker than I am now. Hopefully, I can just keep learning every day from the guys here, from the games and from the coaching staff.

"In the modern game of football, we need to do the hard pressing as well from the front line. The game is evolving, and I learned that already in my youth years. So I've always been used to the pressing part. And like you said, I think it's one of the things I do well. The boss also wants me and the frontline to put in a shift, so yes it's good."

Nathan Ridley