When his former club Copenhagen visits Old Trafford on Tuesday, Rasmus Hojlund might make Champions League history.
This would be the first Champions League meeting between three siblings, with the Manchester United star facing his twin brothers Oscar and Emil.
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6Oscar, left, and Emil Hojlund are beginning to break into the first-team
6Rasmus Hojlund has scored three Champions League goals in two games.Photo credit: Getty Hojlund, 20, is two years older than the highly rated twins.They have yet to secure a regular starting spot at Copenhagen, but midfielder Oscar has made seven appearances this season, including one in the Champions League.Emil debuted in the Europa Conference League last year but has only made one first-team appearance this season.
He has scored six goals in six games for the minor squad.Copenhagen academy graduate Hojlund scored five goals in 32 outings for the Danish giants before leaving in January 2022.The Denmark international joined United 18 months after leaving Copenhagen and has earned teams around £100million in transfer fees.His former sporting director at Horsholm Usserod Idraetsklub (HUI), Christian Mouroux, thinks the Hojlund brothers are better than the Red Devils star.
He told ManchesterEvening News: “Many who have met all three think the younger brothers are as talented as Rasmus.”All of them have been very well advanced compared to the average, but the two younger brothers were, compared to Rasmus at the same age, in front of him.”When it comes to pure talent, I think the two little brothers have a slight edge.Oscar is my favorite.
Emil is the more elegant player, making elegant decisions and dribbling and passing well, whereas Oscar is more of a bulldog, figҺting, winning, tackling, and having courage.Probably because he was smaller than his brothers and everyone else he played against. He has to compensate, so he is brave, good on the ball, and has a winning mentality—you can tell he wants to win in every situation.”
6One former coach claimed Emil Hojlund is more talented than big brother Rasmus
6Oscar Hojlund has seven Copenhagen appearances this season.Credit: GettyTheir father helped all three brothers develop so much.When tempers flared in group sessions, HUI coach Anders Hojlund spent hours instructing each son individually.
He even turned his basement into a wooden football pitch so the brothers could play when it was too cold outside.The three played together, but their father had to split up their training because they wаnted to improve.Oscar and Emil signed their first Copenhagen contracts in late 2021, and Emil expressed his pleasure at being able to continue his football career with his twin.
6After graduating from Copenhagen’s academy, Hojlund made 32 appearances.Credit: GettyHojlund said he called Oscar and Emil immediately after the Champions League draw to be connected.The forward is delighted to play his previous club and feels it would be “cool” to play against his siblings.Emil is considered HUI’s top player, not Rasmus, so Hojlund will want to prove himself.Hojlund’s work ethic and drive to improve have propelled him to the top.While waiting to join United in the summer, the striker returned to Horsholm, Denmark, and used HUI’s facilities to stay fit.
Hojlund arrived in Manchester injured but has started well since recovering, demonstrating his dedication to rehab.He has failed to score in the Premier League but is deadly in the Champions League and might be crucial against Copenhagen.Erik ten Hag’s team needs a win after losing to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in the competition.Hojlund has three goals in two Champions League matches, but former Chelsea star Ruud Gullit worries his teammates are too greedy to maximize his potential.Copenhagen is one point ahead of United after drawing Galatasary and losing to Bayern Munich.
Ten Hag substituted Hojlund in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United to keep him fresh, as the teenager is in top form in Europe.United manager: “He typically plays complete games, but we sub him off to manage his minutes.Internal competition too. Must keep him sharp.”We have to swap in games, between games, otherwise we don’t keep the energy, focus and freshness in every game.”
