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Manchester United defenders have been as soon as once more put to work by the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on the Etihad as Manchester Metropolis accomplished a league double over their neighbors with a 3-1 win on the weekend.
Then again, regardless of Marcus Rashford's net-busting strike early within the recreation, the Purple Devils did nothing to check the resolve of the Metropolis backline.
Rasmus Hjolund, who has been his staff's standout participant in 2024, made the journey to the blue aspect of Manchester however was not deemed match sufficient to play any position within the tie.
The guests may do effectively together with his tempo and bodily presence. In his absence, Eric ten Hag opted to serve solely two phrases and as an alternative stuffed his midfield with an additional man. Evidently, his technique didn’t work.
The 21-year-old has been battling a muscle downside and has missed video games towards Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Metropolis.
United have been unbeaten this yr earlier than his damage, however have misplaced two of their final three video games since he was dominated out. Earlier than the unlucky damage he had scored six consecutive targets within the Premier League.
One of many biggest strikers within the membership's historical past, Andy Cole, not too long ago shared his ideas on Hjolund, suggesting that self-confidence is a significant motive behind the teen's glorious kind.
“When he first got here right here, there have been lots of expectations from him,” the previous Purple informed membership media. “He was a younger man who was beneath lots of stress, he was priced very excessive, in a staff that wasn't creating many probabilities.”
“I feel it's a very good factor for him as a result of now he's acquired that confidence. Confidence is a giant factor in soccer. He carried out brilliantly towards Villa and since then the goalscoring has continued. For me, personally, I simply wish to see him do it.
“Sure, there might be instances when he’s not scoring targets, it’s half and parcel of soccer, however so long as he retains doing the precise issues, he might be fantastic.”
The treble winner, who has scored 187 targets within the Premier League, actually is aware of a factor or two about placing the ball at the back of the online.
Accordingly, the previous Atalanta ahead could be clever to comply with Cole's recommendation: preserve his head held excessive and preserve doing what he has been doing over the previous few months.