10 September 2023 , 08:39
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Manchester United paid £72million to sign Rasmus Hojlund - but he wasn't considered a 'standout talent' until recently.
In fact, Hojlund's two younger brothers were tipped for bigger and better things than United's most expensive signing of the summer and are set to face the Red Devils in the Champions League over the coming months after being drawn in the same group. Twins Emil and Oscar, 18, both play for Danish giants Copenhagen, where Rasmus emerged before making the move to Austrian side Strum Graz and then Italian outfit Atalanta, spending one season with each to prepare him for Old Trafford.
Hojlund, 20, wasn't expected to be playing at the Theatre of Dreams, though, according to Christian Mouroux - sporting director at the brothers' local amateur club, Horsholm Usserod Idraetsklub (HUI). "His two younger brothers - twins Emil and Oscar - were more obvious talents," Mouroux told the Daily Mail.
"Rasmus wasn't a standout. There were other players his age just as good. His talents you see today came much later. I won't lie, I'm very surprised by how much Rasmus went for."
One thing that make United's new No.11 stand out from the crowd was his towering height, even as a youngster. Now 6ft 3in, his imposing physical presence was on show during his debut as a substitute against Arsenal last weekend, and throwing his weight around is nothing new for Hojlund.
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"He was playing for the age group above because he was physically so big, so he was more developed in that way," Mouroux went on to say. "But there was no single moment when we thought he was going to be a star.
Copenhagen starlets Oscar and Emil Hojlund will face their brother, Rasmus, in the Champions League (Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images)Have your say! Will Ramsus Hojlund come good at Manchester United? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
"Signing for a team who've bought him to perform now, it's surprising. Knowing him, it's a type of pressure he will thrive under. His father set him up for that."
Hojlund's carpenter dad, Anders, is credited with the brothers' early development, even building a pitch in the basement in order to train his kids when the weather was bad. Mouroux says that the 20-year-old still comes back to train at HUI and added that "nobody has ever seen dedication like this."
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag was pleased with Hojlund's cameo during last Sunday's dramatic 3-1 defeat away to Arsenal, saying: "I think he played very good. But also I think Anthony Martial's was a very good performance, so I was pleased and definitely, I think Rasmus Hojlund had [a] very good impact on the game."