Hojlund explains derby presence

The injured pair arrived at the Etihad Stadium with the rest of Erik ten Hag’s players on Sunday, ahead of our 3-1 defeat to the Blues.

Hojlund and Martinez are still undergoing rehabilitation for their respective issues, although both are hoping to return to action soon.

While it is unusual for those who cannot play to be part of the travelling party for away games, the Dane wanted to attend the derby and be back around the first-team set-up again.

“Yeah, it was an important game,” said Hojlund, in an interview to celebrate his Premier League Player of the Month success.

“Normally, we don’t go to away games, but I was off on the day so I thought we should go to support the boys and just be around the team, also for the sake of us to get the feeling and smelling it.

“Because when you’re injured, it can hang a bit, that you’re not playing, so to get in the changing room and get that feeling again [means] there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Primarily, it was to support the boys, but for the sake of our rehab as well, it gave us a boost.”

Hojlund, who has scored in each of his last six Premier League games, has, unfortunately, had to miss United’s three most recent outings due to a muscle injury.

The 21-year-old doesn’t yet have a concrete return date but hopes to pick up where he left off in terms of his top-flight scoring streak.

“That would be nice. Let’s see, but I’m going to be back as soon as possible,” he said, when asked about his recovery.

“I don’t want to put a date on it, because it will just interfere or something, but I think we’re not far off.”