Manchester United kept their Champions League hopes alive by beating West Ham United 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday at Old Trafford.
The performances and results under Erik ten Hag have been pretty sketchy, but it’s amazing what a regular goalscorer can do because some consistency is now starting to build up.
That’s what Rasmus Hojlund is now providing in a Manchester United shirt after scoring in his fourth consecutive league game.
Michael Owen thinks the 21-year-old is heading towards being a ‘hero’ and his opening goal against the Hammers was a thing of ‘beauty’, as he told Premier League Productions (04/02/24 at 2:55 pm).
The West Ham players thought Rasmus Hojlund was going to try to power the ball in with his left foot, but instead, he faked to shoot, sat a few of them down and then fired the ball in with his right.
At that stage of the game, whilst Manchester United were playing well themselves, the away team were also looking like a threat, especially from set-piece situations.
But that opening goal just settled everything down for the home side and the young guns made sure of the three points, with Alejandro Garnacho netting a brace.
But it was the goal from Rasmus Hojlund that impressed Michael Owen the most.
Rasmus Hojlund scores for the fourth Premier League game in a row
“It’s a beauty that,” said Owen. “Absolute beauty. I love the disguise with the left foot. He actually prepares it like he is going to shoot.
“It’s already dragging it. But sometimes you really have to throw the dummy in. Make it look as if you are going to shoot and he did it so well. The touch was great and Casemiro did play a hand in it.
“But look at that. He has sent two or three people, then it’s a lovely finish. It’s a very good goal that. If he can keep doing that, then he is going to be a hero.”
Rasmus Hojlund with and without confidence
The young Danish star just needed that spark in his game and it has now been provided in bucket loads, with the rewards for all to see – Ian Wright and Dwight Yorke were also impressed.
Man United are racking up the points, in a confident mood, playing well and looking like a team that wants to motor up the Premier League table.
Eight points separate Man United in sixth and Aston Villa in fourth. The two meet next Sunday at Villa Park.
It’s pretty clear a point or, even better, a win will put Unai Emery’s men in a commanding position, but if ten Hag can guide his team to the points, then it blows that race wide open.
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