What are Hojlund's earliest United memories?
In the announcement of his transfer to Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund said that “it is no secret” that he has been a fan of the club since he was a young boy.
It’s safe to say that the young Dane is currently living his dream – and that of millions worldwide – in completing a move to the Reds, as Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer, from Atalanta.
Hojlund was presented on the pitch at Old Trafford prior to our friendly win over RC Lens, and while that moment was the start of the latest chapter in his United journey, we were keen to find out where his story as a fan of the club began.
Our signing interview with Rasmus is now available to watch in full, below...
Rasmus Hojlund | The signing interview
SIGNING INTERVIEW | Rasmus is a Red and he's beaming! Watch his introductory Q&A with club reporter Harry Robinson...
When asked about his first memories as a United fan, Hojlund says: “Yeah, probably, we saw one of the pictures today [as a child in a United shirt]. I think that’s one of my first memories.
“I think one of the first memories I have in terms of watching a game was probably seeing them winning the Champions League [in 2008]. The penalty shootout against Chelsea.”
As he explains, Hojlund’s love for United runs in the family, with his dad the primary source of his initial affection for his new club.
His first United hero is hardly a surprise, either, having set his eyes on the club during our 2008 Champions League final triumph in Moscow.
“My father pushed it over my head, and I started following everybody around the club and of course, I was very into Premier League football and everything around it," he adds. “So, I kept watching, and of course, Cristiano [Ronaldo] was my idol when he was playing back then, so I kept following him and of course kept following Manchester United.”
Quizzed if he admired Ronaldo for his qualities as a player or his mentality, Rasmus continues: “I think both. Definitely his mentality also. He had a rough childhood, he came through it, he wanted to be the best. He even just put it out there very early.
“I think there’s an interview with Anderson, Ferdinand and Ronaldo where they ask, the reporter asks, ‘Who’s the best football player in the world’ and then he just said ‘me’. I like this mentality. He just put it out and said at least he wanted to be the best, and that’s the same mentality I go for. I want to be the best version of myself.”
Despite that, the 20-year-old isn’t getting star-struck around his new team-mates and is simply focused on getting to work with the guys he now shares the dressing room with.
“It’s a little bit surrealistic, there is a lot of stars but yeah, I’m part of that team now. I recognise they’re only humans and I’m looking forward to playing on the pitch with the other guys.”