Rasmus Hojlund reveals talks with star Ruben Amorim rates as ‘complete midfielder’

Rasmus Hojlund is eager to get to work under Ruben Amorim after getting the inside track on incoming Manchester United manager from Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand.

Amorim, who masterminded a thrilling victory over Manchester City in his final home game in charge at Sporting on Tuesday night, will officially take the reins at Old Trafford on 11 November.

United’s lack of goals has been a worrying problem with only Crystal Palace and Southampton scoring less than them under Erik ten Hag in the Premier League this season.

Amorim will hope to change that with Hojlund eager to hold onto his role at the focal point of attack under the Portuguese coach, having discussed his new boss with fellow Denmark international Hjulmand.

‘I am really looking forward to this. Great ideas. I’ve seen how they play,’ Hojlund told Tipsbladet.

‘I spoke with Morten Hjulmand about it, and he is also very pleased with the coach, so I am eager for him to set foot here.

‘From what I’ve seen so far, it’s a three-defender line and it might be a bit different from what I’m used to in the past. So, it will be exciting to see how he implements his ideas, and I am looking forward to working with a young, ambitious coach.

‘I think that’s a good thing. He understands what modern football is about. I don’t necessarily see his youth as a negative aspect. On the contrary, it could even bring something extra,” he explained, further detailing the conversation he had with the Sporting midfielder during the last international break.

‘We usually talk at the club or when we are with the national team about how things are going. There, Morten Hjulmand only talked about the great ideas and a slightly different approach than what he might be used to.’

Hojlund’s Denmark teammate Hjulmand played a key role under Amorim last season, joining the club the previous summer following Manuel Ugarte’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.

With the Uruguayan now at United, he will be reunited with Amorim next week.

But comments made by Amorim last year suggest he favoured the presence of Hjulmand in his midfield over Ugarte, describing the Dane as a more ‘complete’ midfielder.

‘I love Palhinha and Ugarte, but I would say that Hjulmand is the most complete player in his position,’ Amorim said earlier this year.

In assessing the differences between Ugarte and Hjulmand in 2023, Amorim spoke openly about some of the deficiencies in the Uruguayan – notably, his ability to ‘read the game’.

‘They are completely different characteristics’, Amorim said in September 2023. ‘Morten doesn’t have Ugarte’s ability to find players from all sides of the pitch with incredible speed. Morten has, and Ugarte didn’t have, the ability to read the game, anticipate moves and be well positioned.’

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