I feel great and Manchester United are ready to kick on after Brentford win

Rasmus Hojlund has said he ‘feels great’ after recovering from his recent injury issues and thinks Manchester United are ready to start climbing the table.

The 21-year-old brought a frustrating start to the season to an end when he scored the winner in United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, his first league goal of the new campaign. Hojlund picked up a hamstring injury over the summer in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal and only returned to the team in mid-September.

Saturday’s start against Brentford was just his second in the league since recovering from the knock and his timely contribution helped secure a vital three points for the under-pressure Erik ten Hag. After a disappointing start from a personal and team perspective, Hojlund is feeling optimistic about the future.

“It was very, very nice to get the first goal in the Premier League,” the Danish international said after the Brentford win. “Obviously, the injury has been annoying and it was an annoying time to get it, but obviously I feel great now and feel ready to move on.

“The performance from the team was very good today. It was an unlucky goal from Brentford, but we showed great resilience and showed what a team we are.

“Every time you win and the forwards score goals, it gives a lot of confidence to the team. But in the end, it's about winning and I think that's what we need to focus on. I'm very pleased with the three points today.”

Asked about how he kept his spirits up during the injury layoff, Hojlund replied: “I'm living the dream every day. I'm playing for Manchester United, and having the no.9 on the back for Manchester United, it's a good life. 

“I just tried to focus on that part, and also I could focus on everything else instead. Trying to be even fitter for when I come back, doing my recovery even better. I think I'm in a great spot right now.”

Saturday’s game was the first time Hojlund has started at Old Trafford since he inherited the no.9 jersey in the summer. The striker opted to take the famous shirt after Anthony Martial’s departure - ditching his previous no.11 in the process - but he said it doesn’t add any extra scrutiny.

“It means a lot, but I'm not trying to put extra pressure on it, because in the end, it's a number,” he said. “But obviously, it's great meaning for this football club and also to me. But in the end, it's just a number in the back.”

Next up for United is a trip to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League, before travelling to the capital for the next Premier League outing against West Ham United.