Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas gives glowing verdict on Rasmus Hojlund amid Man Utd icon comparison

Cesc Fabregas has likened Rasmus Hojlund to former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy following an excellent run for the young Dane.

Hojlund has put a stuttering start to life at United behind him with a run of seven goals in his last six appearances across all competitions. The 20-year-old went 14 Premier League games without finding the net but has been unable to stop since opening his account in the 3-2 win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Despite that baron run, the feeling around Old Trafford was always one of optimism - thanks in part to Hojlund's Champions League exploits. The £72million signing is now starting to fulfil his potential and former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas insists that his growing confidence has been key.

“He attacks the box really well. He's very smart,” Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast. "He's a kind of a Van Nistelrooy type of finisher. When he gets his confidence, I believe that he can be a really top, top striker for United in the future. So when you have a good player, [and someone] one against one making crosses all the time, you will always get the best out of him."

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The recent form of Hojlund has typified the positive feeling around Old Trafford since the turn of the year, with Erik ten Hag's young stars all coming to the fore and making the difference. Alejandro Garnacho has been United's best winger this season and is doing so on his unnatural side, while Kobbie Mainoo, fresh from a Premier League debut in November, has become one of the first names on the teamsheet in midfield.

"It definitely is great to see [the young players performing well] because you can see it has given them the licence, you know to show themselves what they can do," Fabregas added. “They play with a lot of purpose. And it's great to see because you don't see that nowadays at big clubs.”