Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund has issued an emotional statement to Denmark fans after failing to score at Euro 2024.
Denmark were knocked out of the tournament in controversial circumstances on Saturday evening by Germany. The hosts secured their passage to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win, but needed some good fortune from VAR which left the Danes furious.
Joachim Andersen’s goal was ruled out for a marginal offside against Thomas Delaney before Andersen was penalised for handball, giving Kai Havertz a penalty to put Germany 1-0 up. Germany scored again through Jamal Musiala, but the VAR decisions dominated the post-match discussion, with Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand describing the calls as “ridiculous”.
In keeping with his performances at the tournament as a whole, Hojlund struggled to make an impact up front for Denmark, with Manuel Neuer denying him twice from good chances. He finished Euro 2024 without a goal, while Denmark exited having failed to win in four attempts, following three successive draws in Group C.
“To be honest I didn’t really know what to expect from my first Euros,” Hojlund wrote on Instagram. “Supporting Denmark during a tournament was always one of the highlights as a Dane, playing for Denmark was indescribable.
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“I was so eager, and wanted so badly to make our country proud. I texted one of my friends that I felt a bit guilty. It’s a weird sentimental mix, because there’s also pride. Obviously we wanted to bring the cup home, but the thing that will always bring me pride, both as a footballer and a Dane: We are red, we are white. We stand together, side by side.”
Hojlund did not mention the VAR calls, but his manager was furious in his post-match press conference, with the handball call against Andersen, who was struck by a cross from David Raum at point-blank range, particularly egregious. “I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules,” Hjulmand said.
Manuel Neuer saved two good chances from Rasmus Hojlund (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)“We cannot require our defenders to run with arms like this [flat to their side], it’s not natural. Joachim is running normally, it’s a normal situation. He jumped up and was hit by one metre. I rarely talk about decisions but it was very decisive in our game. It’s frustrating for our team. Being 1-0 in front would have changed everything. In my opinion this is not how football is meant to be.”
Hojlund will now have some time off before returning to United for a second season under Erik ten Hag’s management. The 21-year-old, who arrived in a deal worth £72million from Atalanta last summer, managed 16 goals in 43 games across all competitions in his debut campaign, despite his first goal coming on Boxing Day.
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