Rasmus Hojlund reveals truth behind goal drought nightmare after £72m Man United star finally ended rut lasting over 22 HOURS with strike at Leicester

Rasmus Hojlund admits he has to take his fair share of responsibility for a marathon goal drought at Manchester United.

The £72million striker scored his first goal in 22 hours and 19 minutes in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Leicester – a barren run that stretched back 22 games and three months to mid-December.

The service to Hojlund has been criticised and he argued with teammate Diogo Dalot during United’s Europa League tie against Real Sociedad earlier this month when the Portugal defender failed to pass to him in front of goal.

But Hojlund accepts that ultimately it is up to him put the ball in the back of the net. ‘I think it comes down to my performances as well,’ he said. ‘I think obviously I’ve not been on top of my game as I wanted to, and we’re still adapting to a new system and some new positions. But I think I’ve been growing into it lately and starting to look a bit better.

‘I can’t sit here and say everything, but I think we’re starting to get a bit more connection between myself and the players, and then starting to understand what my qualities are even more, and playing to them as well.

‘I’m developing and starting to understand their qualities, that’s what the manager wants. He wants us to play to our strengths, and now we’re starting to find each other even better.’

Hojlund scored United’s first goal of the game as they beat Leicester 3-0 on Sunday

Hojlund ended his lean streak in the 28th minute at the King Power Stadium, latching onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes and taking the ball wide of defender Wout Faes before firing home for his eighth goal of the season – halfway towards his tally last term.

The 22-year-old Dane admitted that he was relieved, but not as much as when he got his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day in 2023, three-and-a-half months after making his debut.

‘I’m obviously very happy to get my goal and it gives me a lot of confidence. I’m sure more will come now,’ added Hojlund.

‘I just saw – was it Faes? – he was running down towards the goal, so I was taking my time, seeing it as an opportunity to just get even closer to the goal, and then obviously I took my chance.

‘I don’t think it was like the first time when I scored against Aston Villa, but obviously I was very happy. I see it as a good step on the way, but I just want to keep improving and keep being better.

‘I know I’m not finished the article or what you say over here, but I just want to keep going. I’m sure I’ll get even better and score even more goals if I just focus on that.’

Hojlund has started to build a better understanding with Joshua Zirkzee since Ruben Amorim took over as head coach, with the Dutchman playing more of a wide role rather than simply acting as a replacement for his teammate.

‘Obviously, we didn’t get to play too much together in the beginning of the season, but now he’s starting to play in a different sort of role or position and he can still do the other part,’ said Hojlund. 

Hojlund is confident that more goals will come after bringing his barren run to an end

‘Playing together with him is very nice. He’s a lovely lad and I think competition is a good thing. But I think we also support each other’s qualities very well.

‘He (Amorim) wants me to stretch the pitch, I think that’s quite obvious, and get me into the channels and keep keeping the centre-backs occupied. 

‘That’s what I’m trying to do. I think I’ve got a good amount of speed and that’s what I’m here for.