West Ham's Michail Antonio gives honest verdict on Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund

West Ham striker Michail Antonio was a big fan of Rasmus Hojlund from the start and insists he brings more than goals to Manchester United.

Hojlund has added those much-needed goals in recent weeks and netted his fourth in as many games during Sunday's 3-0 win at home to the Hammers. The Dane worked space with some brilliant footwork before rifling his effort into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Alejandro Garnacho netted twice in the second half to ensure all three points remained at Old Trafford but it was another great day for Hojlund, who was celebrating his 21st birthday. Goals were hard to come by in the early months of his United career but Antonio insists the quality was always there and he was performing well in other areas.

“I liked what I saw at the beginning of the season,” Antonio told Sky Sports. “People only rate strikers on scoring goals but it's not just about that, it's what you bring to the team as well. He brings that physicality, he can get other people involved, a willing runner and now he's scoring the goals. 

“The goal he scored yesterday [Sunday] was quality. The fake shot to drag it to his right foot, a great strike through the ball. I really rate him. 

“The one thing for a striker is people will always look at you to score goals and there will be a time when you're without a goal. But as long as you believe in yourself and you know you'll get another opportunity and take it, then you’ll go on a run. 

“That's the most important thing, being able to control yourself and believe you're good enough to do it. He wouldn't be in this situation now where he's at United if he couldn't score goals.”

Hojlund's start to life at United was dominated by the lack of goals and it took the £72million summer signing 15 Premier League games to finally find the net. But even during that time, his work in other areas was impeccable and Antonio insists being a world-class No.9 is about more than just numbers.

"A centre-forward is being able to bring players into the game, runs in behind," he added. "As a striker you are meant to get goals but it’s being the complete package instead of just getting goals because it's a team sport at the end of the day and the team is meant to help as well."