Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. Getty
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. Getty
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. Getty
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. Getty

Sport

Football

Rasmus Hojlund: Every day is a dream at Manchester United

Danish striker says he is adapting quickly to life in England and the Premier League

Andy Mitten
Andy Mitten

October 25, 2023

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Rasmus Hojlund was walking through the mixed zone, where players and journalists speak, following Manchester United’s 1-0 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen.

There, the United striker, 20, spotted his younger brother Oscar, a player for the Danish side, speaking to Danish journalists. Rasmus snuck up behind him and knocked the microphone in front of him. The brothers then spoke in Danish and English.

“It is a great feeling being on the same pitch as my brother and not only in a normal stadium,” Rasmus said. "In Denmark it is [considered] one of the most special stadiums in the world, so it is a special feeling.”

It was a memorable day all round for Rasmus, as he talked positively about how he was finding life at Manchester United following his summer transfer from Atalanta.

Read more

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“Yeah, very nice. I play for my boyhood club. I have always supported Manchester United, so I am living my dream every day," he said.

Though he is yet to score a Premier League goal, United fans have warmed to the young, determined striker.

“I try to show personality and want to give 110 per cent every time I play a football match, so maybe that is the reason why the fans are showing a special bond towards me,” he said.

Asked about his start at United, he replied: “It has been all right. I’ve tried my best every time I play, and I still need to find the rhythm. We have been struggling a little bit, but we are getting there now. We have had three wins in a row, so that is very positive.”

The eldest of the three Hojlund brothers, however, is still adjusting to the Premier League.

“For sure,” he said. “I improve every day and my team-mates are starting to see my patterns in the game as well, so it is getting better and better every day.”

Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Headline maker right at the last as he saved a penalty taken in the 97th minute. How he and his team needed that. The ball struck his post early, but his kicking was poor in front of another changed defence for him. Superb right-handed save on 50 from Lerager. AFP
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Headline maker right at the last as he saved a penalty taken in the 97th minute. How he and his team needed that. The ball struck his post early, but his kicking was poor in front of another changed defence for him. Superb right-handed save on 50 from Lerager. AFP
Did OK. Tried to rally the fans in front of 73,249. Seconds later a penalty was given and those fans were stunned into silence … until Onana saved it. Getty
Did OK. Tried to rally the fans in front of 73,249. Seconds later a penalty was given and those fans were stunned into silence … until Onana saved it. Getty
Failed to win an early challenge which led to Copenhagen striking the post. He did win a header from another fine Eriksen ball after 72 minutes to give United a crucial lead. Such a relief. Played well again. His best week for ages. EPA
Failed to win an early challenge which led to Copenhagen striking the post. He did win a header from another fine Eriksen ball after 72 minutes to give United a crucial lead. Such a relief. Played well again. His best week for ages. EPA
Has he ever passed the ball back so often? Or head the ball away for a corner? He’s been in and out all season. An in-form Varane can be one of United’s best players. AP
Has he ever passed the ball back so often? Or head the ball away for a corner? He’s been in and out all season. An in-form Varane can be one of United’s best players. AP
First game back after a month out, so at least United have a left-back again. Shot towards goal deflected on 47. EPA
First game back after a month out, so at least United have a left-back again. Shot towards goal deflected on 47. EPA
Lovely ball to Antony on 21. Lost possession while stuck for options on 37. Too slow in a first half so bad that the referee blew up 13 seconds before time. He’s got energy but didn’t damage opponents. Taken off at half time. Getty
Lovely ball to Antony on 21. Lost possession while stuck for options on 37. Too slow in a first half so bad that the referee blew up 13 seconds before time. He’s got energy but didn’t damage opponents. Taken off at half time. Getty
Another night of frustration, though he was better in the second half and played the perfect ball forward to Garnacho on 66. Won the ball twice to start a 77th-minute attack, then ran onto a Rashford ball, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Booked. Getty
Another night of frustration, though he was better in the second half and played the perfect ball forward to Garnacho on 66. Won the ball twice to start a 77th-minute attack, then ran onto a Rashford ball, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Booked. Getty
Started better than against Sheffield United. Shot wide on 78, then conceded his second penalty in five days. Booked. AFP
Started better than against Sheffield United. Shot wide on 78, then conceded his second penalty in five days. Booked. AFP
Came to life on 17, beating the stand in left-back twice. Does his stepovers, looks like he could be a threat. But a lack of end product means he isn’t. AP
Came to life on 17, beating the stand in left-back twice. Does his stepovers, looks like he could be a threat. But a lack of end product means he isn’t. AP
Sublime pass to Hojlund on 15. First and only United shot on target in the first half on 20. Poor touch from a 57th-minute Eriksen pass. Wasn’t taken off after an hour this time. EPA
Sublime pass to Hojlund on 15. First and only United shot on target in the first half on 20. Poor touch from a 57th-minute Eriksen pass. Wasn’t taken off after an hour this time. EPA
Chasing balls down from the start against his former club. No service until Rashford set him up on 15, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. He’ll get there. EPA
Chasing balls down from the start against his former club. No service until Rashford set him up on 15, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. He’ll get there. EPA
SUBS: (Amrabat 45') Forced a first save of the match after 53, a low shot towards the corner. Made a difference, added urgency, forced players to go forward. Played in Rashford, then set up Maguire’s goal. Getty
SUBS: (Amrabat 45') Forced a first save of the match after 53, a low shot towards the corner. Made a difference, added urgency, forced players to go forward. Played in Rashford, then set up Maguire’s goal. Getty
(Reguilon 62') Did well to anticipate and clear a Copenhagen cross on 69. AFP
(Reguilon 62') Did well to anticipate and clear a Copenhagen cross on 69. AFP
(Antony 62') His first touch of a Fernandes ball was the right one in front of goal, his second one wasn’t. Shot straight at goalkeeper well saved on 77. Brings urgency and stretches opponents; Anthony Martial (Hojlund 86') N/A. Getty
(Antony 62') His first touch of a Fernandes ball was the right one in front of goal, his second one wasn’t. Shot straight at goalkeeper well saved on 77. Brings urgency and stretches opponents; Anthony Martial (Hojlund 86') N/A. Getty
COPENHAGEN RATINGS: Untested in a first half that delighted the dominant Danes. Kept his side on terms with an outstanding save after the break when he palmed away an Eriksen strike that looked destined for the corner, before denying Garnacho with another smart stop. AP
COPENHAGEN RATINGS: Untested in a first half that delighted the dominant Danes. Kept his side on terms with an outstanding save after the break when he palmed away an Eriksen strike that looked destined for the corner, before denying Garnacho with another smart stop. AP
Caught too high up the pitch which allowed Garnacho to race through on goal, but the youngster’s touch was far too heavy and a grateful Grabara was able to claim at the Argentine’s feet. AP
Caught too high up the pitch which allowed Garnacho to race through on goal, but the youngster’s touch was far too heavy and a grateful Grabara was able to claim at the Argentine’s feet. AP
Survived a scare when he gave Hojlund too much room to shoot but the in-form Dane could only lash over against his former side. Guilty of playing Maguire onside by the barest of margins as United snatched an unlikely win, but a significant one. Getty
Survived a scare when he gave Hojlund too much room to shoot but the in-form Dane could only lash over against his former side. Guilty of playing Maguire onside by the barest of margins as United snatched an unlikely win, but a significant one. Getty
Read the danger superbly to divert Scott McTominay’s point-blank effort away from goal and managed to win his side a goal kick in the process. A vital intervention from the Dutchman to deny the United midfielder his fourth goal of the season. AFP
Read the danger superbly to divert Scott McTominay’s point-blank effort away from goal and managed to win his side a goal kick in the process. A vital intervention from the Dutchman to deny the United midfielder his fourth goal of the season. AFP
Shown a clean pair of heels by Antony on more than one occasion. Improved after the break and forced a corner with a bright burst forward as the visitors sensed the opportunity to take all three points. Getty
Shown a clean pair of heels by Antony on more than one occasion. Improved after the break and forced a corner with a bright burst forward as the visitors sensed the opportunity to take all three points. Getty
Produced a tidy block that took the sting out of a long-range Reguilon shot and allowed his goalkeeper to gather easily. Saw his powerful strike impressively saved by Onana at the other end second later. Getty
Produced a tidy block that took the sting out of a long-range Reguilon shot and allowed his goalkeeper to gather easily. Saw his powerful strike impressively saved by Onana at the other end second later. Getty
Showed excellent strength to thwart his former teammate when he sent Hojlund sprawling and the referee waved away United’s penalty appeals. A big moment with Hojlund shaping to pull the trigger, but it looked like the right call. PA
Showed excellent strength to thwart his former teammate when he sent Hojlund sprawling and the referee waved away United’s penalty appeals. A big moment with Hojlund shaping to pull the trigger, but it looked like the right call. PA
Nearly silenced the home crowd with just five minutes into the tie when he cracked the post from Elyounoussi’s inviting delivery. Knew when to slow things down and managed the game well in the middle, but equally always carried a threat. AFP
Nearly silenced the home crowd with just five minutes into the tie when he cracked the post from Elyounoussi’s inviting delivery. Knew when to slow things down and managed the game well in the middle, but equally always carried a threat. AFP
Almost gave the visitors the perfect start when he floated in a beautiful cross that led to Copenhagen hitting the woodwork before his follow-up effort was deflected over. Caused problems throughout with his turn of pace. AP
Almost gave the visitors the perfect start when he floated in a beautiful cross that led to Copenhagen hitting the woodwork before his follow-up effort was deflected over. Caused problems throughout with his turn of pace. AP
Showed excellent vision to pick out Lerager on the edge of the box with a super pass that sliced through the United defence, but the midfielder’s effort was beaten away by Onana. PA
Showed excellent vision to pick out Lerager on the edge of the box with a super pass that sliced through the United defence, but the midfielder’s effort was beaten away by Onana. PA
Lively. Burst out of the blocks and forced a save inside 60 seconds with a cleanly-struck effort from the edge of the box. Showed quick feet throughout and drilled another low effort into the side netting as he looked to squeeze an effort past Onana. EPA
Lively. Burst out of the blocks and forced a save inside 60 seconds with a cleanly-struck effort from the edge of the box. Showed quick feet throughout and drilled another low effort into the side netting as he looked to squeeze an effort past Onana. EPA
SUBS: (Jelert, ‘77). Looked to make a nuisance of himself on the left, but his most memorable involvement was throwing himself to the ground under a challenge from Dalot. AP
SUBS: (Jelert, ‘77). Looked to make a nuisance of himself on the left, but his most memorable involvement was throwing himself to the ground under a challenge from Dalot. AP
(Goncalves, ‘85) - N/A. Saw his last-gasp penalty brilliantly saved by Onana to leave Copenhagen bottom of Group A as the sides prepare to battle it out again in two weeks’ time. Orri Oskarsson (Claesson, ‘76) - N/A. AFP
(Goncalves, ‘85) - N/A. Saw his last-gasp penalty brilliantly saved by Onana to leave Copenhagen bottom of Group A as the sides prepare to battle it out again in two weeks’ time. Orri Oskarsson (Claesson, ‘76) - N/A. AFP
(Claesson, ‘90). A late appearance for the younger of the Hojlunds, who very nearly had an immediate impact. It was his delivery that led to a penalty in the dying seconds too, only for Onana to steal the headlines. Getty
(Claesson, ‘90). A late appearance for the younger of the Hojlunds, who very nearly had an immediate impact. It was his delivery that led to a penalty in the dying seconds too, only for Onana to steal the headlines. Getty

His partnership with Marcus Rashford will be vital as United are not scoring enough goals this season.

"You can see we are trying to find each other,” said Hojlund. “In the Sheffield (United) game, he nearly got an assist to me, and I think he has already assisted me twice in the Champions League. We are definitely trying to find each other on the pitch and I also tried to find him with a deep pass today, so we have a good connection.”

Despite the spotlight on him, Hojlund is not intimidated by his big price tag.

“I know my worth," he said. "I know I have to perform every day because I play for Manchester United. In the end, I am only 20 years old and I am not the finished article yet. I still have a lot to improve and I am getting there slowly. I reckon I have had a fine start to the season and now we have to keep building and the goals will come in the Premier League.

“It has gone fast, but I have always had the self-belief and I want to improve every day, and that is the reason why I am here. Hopefully I can keep my streak going upwards."

Manchester City await on Sunday and Hojlund is relishing the challenge.

“It would be a big experience, so I am looking forward to it,” he said. “It is always special to play a rival and if we win the game, we can get closer to the top, so it would be nice.”

As a United fan, he remembers some classic Manchester derbies.

“The bicycle kick from Wayne Rooney, of course! Everybody remembers that, don’t they?”

Hojlund, however, is his own man. He doesn’t enjoy comparisons with City’s Erling Haaland.

“I don’t want to be compared to him,” he says. “He is incredible and probably the best striker in the world right now. We can keep that on the low for now, but I hope I can improve and then we will see what I am capable of.”

As he’s talking, younger brother Oscar leaves. Rasmus shouts for him to wait.

“But the bus leaves now!”

“It can wait 10 minutes,” replies his older brother. “Mum and Dad are here.”

Rasmus knows Oscar won’t be able to keep his teammates waiting and unlike the game on Tuesday, there was no last minute drama as his brother sprints for his seat.

Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.

Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.

The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

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RESULT

Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Man United: Sanchez (24' ), Herrera (62')
Spurs: Alli (11')

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About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

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Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Victims%20of%20the%202018%20Parkland%20school%20shooting
%3Cp%3EAlyssa%20Alhadeff%2C%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScott%20Beigel%2C%2035%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMartin%20Duque%2C%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ENicholas%20Dworet%2C%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAaron%20Feis%2C%2037%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJaime%20Guttenberg%2C%2014%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChris%20Hixon%2C%2049%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELuke%20Hoyer%2C%2015%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECara%20Loughran%2C%2014%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EGina%20Montalto%2C%2014%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJoaquin%20Oliver%2C%2017%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAlaina%20Petty%2C%2014%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMeadow%20Pollack%2C%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EHelena%20Ramsay%2C%2017%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAlex%20Schachter%2C%2014%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECarmen%20Schentrup%2C%2016%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPeter%20Wang%2C%2015%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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The fake news generation

288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year

11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general

31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate

63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.

Racecard
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

RECORD%20BREAKER
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Updated: October 25, 2023, 11:55 AM`
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