Bruno Fernandes has told Manchester United teammate Rasmus Hojlund he “hopes” scoring against Aston Villa was not one of the “best days of his life” as the striker claimed after the match. Hojlund, who joined United from Atalanta in the summer, scored his first goal for the club in the 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday, and celebrated by saying it was the “best day of my life” in an interview with Sky Sports.
However, Fernandes, who assisted Hojlund’s goal with a brilliant cross, was not impressed by the 22-year-old’s statement, and urged him to aim higher in his career. “I hope it’s not the best day of his life, because he has a lot of days to come and he has to improve a lot,” Fernandes said in a post-match press conference. “He has a lot of quality, he has a lot of potential, but he has to show it every day, not just in one game.”
Fernandes, who is known for his high standards and leadership qualities, added that he was happy for Hojlund, but also reminded him that he has to work hard to earn his place in the team. “He knows that I’m happy for him, but he also knows that I will demand more from him, because he has the talent to do much more,” Fernandes said. “He has to fight for his spot, because we have a lot of competition in the squad, and he has to prove himself every day.”
Hojlund, who cost United £62 million, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his arrival, and has been mostly used as a substitute by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He has scored only one goal in 12 appearances in all competitions, and has faced criticism from some fans and pundits for his lack of impact. However, his goal against Villa could be a turning point for his confidence and form, as he showed his pace, movement, and finishing ability.
Solskjaer, who praised Hojlund’s performance and goal, said that he hopes the striker will use it as a springboard to improve and impress in the second half of the season. “He’s a young lad who has come to a new country, a new league, a new culture, and he needs time to settle in,” Solskjaer said. “But he has shown glimpses of his quality, and today he got his reward with a great goal. I hope he will kick on from here and show everyone what he can do.
What do you think of Fernandes’ comments and Hojlund’s goal? Do you think the striker will become a star for United, or will he flop? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
