‘Starting to fly’ – Garth Crooks compares Rasmus Hojlund to former Arsenal and Manchester United striker

Garth Crooks has named Rasmus Hojlund in his Premier League team of the week with a noteworthy comparison to former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Frank Stapleton.

The comparisons are growing and that is a sign that Manchester United fans are excited by their new 21-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund. I get a feeling that more goals will lead to a frenzy, but at least it now looks like the Denmark international is enjoying himself at Old Trafford.

Hopefully we can end the season on a high but, no matter what happens we know that Hojlund’s debut season will be something to build on.

We ran a piece on Hojlund after his match-winning brace at Kenilworth Road on Sunday night and compared him to former United striker Mark Hughes.

Hojlund, who is the only United player to make the cut for team of the week, is also the youngest to feature in its front three.

BBC Premier League team of the week: Ederson; Semedo, Dunk, Murillo; Sterling, Odegaard, Gomes, Saka; Salah, Hojlund, Watkins.

Crooks waxed lyrical about Hojlund in his column and compared the young striker to former Republic of Ireland forward Frank Stapleton.

He wrote: “Hojlund’s first goal in the 2-1 victory at Luton smacked of a player bang in form and his second was just stunning improvisation. Luton players were left waving their hands in the air appealing to the referee that Hojlund had somehow used his arms and not his chest to direct the ball into the net but that was nothing more than sheer desperation and they knew it.

“Manchester United left Kenilworth Road having done enough but should have won this game by a street. A run of seven goals in six games suggests Hojlund has found his wings and is starting to fly. The youngster also looks like he’s made of tough stuff. He’s come through a very difficult period at the club and it must have been painful.

“However, it looks as if the United fans might have a new hero, and the club a new Frank Stapleton!”

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