New Hojlund and Rashford Man Utd verdict given after Champions League impact

Napoli’s Rasmus Hojlund and Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford – who are both on loan from Manchester United – impressed in the Champions League on Wednesday night

Gary Lineker has heaped praise on Manchester United loan duo Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund following their impressive Champions League displays on Wednesday evening. Rashford, 27, maintained his superb recent run with an assist for Barcelona in their clash with Paris Saint-Germain. The England star delivered a pinpoint pass to former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres, who coolly finished past the PSG goalkeeper.

Following a sluggish beginning to his spell in Catalonia, Rashford has now netted twice and registered five assists across his previous six outings under Hansi Flick. Looking back at Rashford’s Barcelona journey so far, Lineker believes it has been “encouraging” to witness him featuring regularly for his new team.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I think Marcus has started well at Barcelona. He’s getting a lot of football. People were saying, ‘he’s not going to get a game.’

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“Obviously you’re always going to get little knocks and injuries to certain players, and he seems to be rotating quite a lot, but Marcus has started a lot of games in the Champions League.

“Of the three goals that Barcelona have scored, he scored two of them and assisted the other one– really good pass. Good start, I think it’s encouraging. You can see they really like him.

“Even at the weekend– I mean his assist at the weekend was in the league, it was a corner, but all the players ran to him. It’s a really good sign. You need that. I’m pleased.”

As for Hojlund, he netted twice for Napoli during their 2-1 triumph over Sporting CP. The Danish striker opened his account after latching onto a superb delivery from Kevin De Bruyne before slotting past the keeper.

De Bruyne then provided another assist as his delivery was nodded home by Hojlund for his second of the evening, wrapping up a triumphant night for Antonio Conte’s men.

Hojlund has bagged three goals in five outings for Napoli since his switch from United, with his other strike coming on his bow against Fiorentina.

“I know De Bruyne was brilliant in the game as well yesterday, but Rasmus Hojlund scored two goals,” Lineker added. “Everybody who is leaving Manchester United seems to be doing really well. But it just shows you, doesn’t it?”.

Both Rashford and Hojlund departed United on loan in the summer, with Antony and Jadon Sancho amongst the others to exit the Reds after Ruben Amorim made it clear they were not in his plans.

Meanwhile, United return to action when they welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. The Reds are seeking to recover following last weekend’s 3-1 loss against Brentford.

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