'We know he can finish' - Paul Scholes names the Man United player who can help Rasmus Hojlund continue scoring
'We know he can finish' - Paul Scholes names the Man United player who can help Rasmus Hojlund continue scoring
Rasmus Hojlund plundered his first Premier League goal in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Paul Scholes believes Christian Eriksen holds the key to unlocking Rasmus Hojlund's potential at Manchester United after the youngster scored his first-ever Premier League goal on Tuesday evening.
At the 15th attempt, the Dane, who joined United from Atalanta in August, scored his maiden goal in England's top flight, scoring the winner in the Reds' thrilling 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. A loose ball landed at Hojlund's feet inside the penalty area and he made no mistake to lash the ball home and complete an impressive comeback.
After trailing 2-0 at half-time, United had fought back and made it 2-2 through an Alejandro Garnacho brace. Erik ten Hag's side were much-improved after the interval and their second half showing was worthy of maximum points.
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Though the victory was the most important takeaway from the contest, Hojlund's first Premier League goal was the headline moment. It had been a long wait for the 20-year-old and pressure had been weighing on his shoulders.
Hojlund's maiden league goal for the club coincided with fellow Dane Eriksen returning to the starting line-up for the first time since the 1-0 win over Luton Town on November 11. And for Scholes, Eriksen's presence can play a key role in enabling Hojlund to add to his goals tally.
"It should take the handbrake off for him," Scholes told Premier League Productions. "It should give him that bit of confidence that we expected from him.
"We expect goals from him, though he hasn't got a great goalscoring record in the past. But really, in the last few weeks, he has not really had chances, so you can't say he is a bad finisher.
"We know he can finish. If you watch the Champions League games, you watch his goals, they are really composed finishes.
"I think Eriksen will help him being in the team. I said before the game that I think he makes a big difference.
"I don't think he was especially brilliant tonight, but he is the one player, when they get the ball, him and Fernandes as well, they can get on their bike. They know if they make the right run, it will come.
"Now, Eriksen has been out for a long time, but he makes a big difference to this team."
Scholes continued: "I think [Raphael] Varane coming back into the team is good as well, possibly with another defender as well. They have also got the quality of Casemiro.
"I think in three or four weeks, this team will be a different team. I still don't think it is a team where you will say they are going to challenge for the title; I don't think we're there yet. It is a team to challenge for the top three or four and a team to possibly win a cup competition.
"I think if you can keep Eriksen fit, I think creativity-wise, it gives his forward (Hojlund) a real chance of scoring goals."
