Rasmus Hojlund is the ‘happiest man alive’ as Erik ten Hag sends message to Man United forwards after stunning comeback win

Published: 23:26, 26 Dec 2023Updated: 23:27, 26 Dec 2023

After 26 minutes of play at Old Trafford, Manchester United looked as though they would fall to another defeat as Aston Villa led 2-0.

However, Erik ten Hag’s side swept aside the script of past weeks and mounted an impressive comeback to seal all three points in a 3-2 win.

It’s fair to say that Hojlund was highly emotional after completing the comebackCredit: AFP

John McGinn’s free-kick and Leander Dendoncker’s close-range finish gave Unai Emery’s high-flying side cause for optimism and inspiration for fans to taunt Ten Hag.

Their jeers were soon diminished in the second half though as Alejandro Garnacho scored two goals in 12 minutes to bring United back level.

Home crowds at Old Trafford have expressed anger and dismay this season but the atmosphere was really ramped up at 2-2.

Things got even better late on though as Rasmus Hojlund finally scored his first ever Premier League goal to secure a huge victory.

Hojlund arrived in the summer in a £72million deal and seemed to find it incredibly tough in front of goal in the English top flight.

But his drought worries are finally over and like many fans, the relief was clear to see at full-time.

“It has been a while [waiting for a first league goal] but yes I am very happy,” he told Amazon Prime Video.

“I am the happiest man alive right now. You can see from the celebrations as well. Like [Garnacho] said we believed in ourselves until the very end and got the win today.”

United verged on defeat again, but Hojlund and co. thought otherwiseCredit: AFP

Ten Hag was met with jeers from Villa fans before seeing his side win all three pointsCredit: Getty

He added: “As the manager has said before I have scored a few goals in the Champions League but of course it has been a while in the Premier League before scoring. Now I have got it and I hope I can just build on that and keep going.

“Yes I remember the goal. First-time finish in off the post, good finish so I am happy. I am happy for the three of us attackers as well because we showed a lot of character today, and a lot of confidence.”

Ten Hag was also on hand to back his man as he told the BBC: “He knows he can do it. On the highest level in the Champions League he scored five and displayed his ability. He knows he can do it at any level.

“The Premier League is close to the Champions League. So it will come and give him confidence. When strikers have confidence, they will score.”

United’s attackers really stepped up to the plate on a crucial nightCredit: Getty

Prior to the win over Villa, just four goals had been scored from United’s attackers this season, with the side also goalless in four previous matches.

Garnacho’s strikes added to the tally and Hojlund also got in on the act, something that Ten Hag is very proud to see as he told Amazon Prime Video: “I’m so happy that the strikers scored.

“That’s what we needed. I know they are capable of it. They are good finishers. And [Marcus] Rashford, and Garnacho, and Hojlund, they’re all good finishers and we have more and they have to show it every game.”

The United boss also offered them more guidance going forward as United eye this result as a potential turning point in what has been a hugely underwhelming season so far.

“Be accountable, be really believing, the willingness to score goals and you score goals.”

United have risen to sixth in the Premier League table for now and are five points off the top four as they hit the halfway-point of the season.

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