Rasmus Højlund is keen to establish himself “on the biggest stage” with Manchester United, though he has acknowledged that enduring a 21-game goal drought earlier this season is quite the test for him.
His recent goal during Athletic Bilbao’s 4-1 defeat was met with some criticism, particularly since it marked his only tally out of 48 matches. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old is determined to shift his performance. “I understand what this club stands for,” he remarked. “It comes with a lot of pressure, but that’s part of why I’m here. I aim to prove myself at this level.”
Even though he has scored twice in his last three matches, they were his first since a 3-0 win at Leicester on March 16. “We’ve faced some challenging moments,” he reflected. “When the goals aren’t coming, it doesn’t necessarily destroy my confidence, but it does bring a bit of frustration. It’s important to return to basics, focus on what I can control, and communicate with my teammates about getting into better positions.”
“Going through a tough patch definitely sharpens you for the future,” he added.
Looking ahead, Højlund is enthusiastic about the upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham at San Mame Stadium on May 21. “It’s exciting — I’m really happy to be in the final,” he noted. “Our goal is to win trophies, and we have a solid chance of making it happen next year since trophies hold great significance for a club like ours.”
As of this weekend, United finds itself positioned 15th in the Premier League, and it could slip closer to the relegation zone unless West Ham secures a win at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Spurs manage not to lose against Crystal Palace. Coach Reuben Amorim made eight changes during a recent 4-3 loss to Brentford, but he dismissed the idea of resting key players like Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire ahead of the final.
“No, they play because they are better off doing so,” he explained. “I’m concerned about players who might get injured. The last game before the tie against Bruno and Tottenham was rescheduled to Friday against Chelsea, giving us time to recover. We also want to remain competitive in the Premier League.”
