Rasmus Hojlund was walking through the mixed zone, where players and journalists speak, following Manchester United’s 1-0 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen.
There, the United striker, 20, spotted his younger brother Oscar, a player for the Danish side, speaking to Danish journalists. Rasmus snuck up behind him and knocked the microphone in front of him. The brothers then spoke in Danish and English.
“It is a great feeling being on the same pitch as my brother and not only in a normal stadium,” Rasmus said. "In Denmark it is [considered] one of the most special stadiums in the world, so it is a special feeling.”
It was a memorable day all round for Rasmus, as he talked positively about how he was finding life at Manchester United following his summer transfer from Atalanta.
“Yeah, very nice. I play for my boyhood club. I have always supported Manchester United, so I am living my dream every day," he said.
Though he is yet to score a Premier League goal, United fans have warmed to the young, determined striker.
“I try to show personality and want to give 110 per cent every time I play a football match, so maybe that is the reason why the fans are showing a special bond towards me,” he said.
Asked about his start at United, he replied: “It has been all right. I’ve tried my best every time I play, and I still need to find the rhythm. We have been struggling a little bit, but we are getting there now. We have had three wins in a row, so that is very positive.”
The eldest of the three Hojlund brothers, however, is still adjusting to the Premier League.
“For sure,” he said. “I improve every day and my team-mates are starting to see my patterns in the game as well, so it is getting better and better every day.”
Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Headline maker right at the last as he saved a penalty taken in the 97th minute. How he and his team needed that. The ball struck his post early, but his kicking was poor in front of another changed defence for him. Superb right-handed save on 50 from Lerager. AFP -
Did OK. Tried to rally the fans in front of 73,249. Seconds later a penalty was given and those fans were stunned into silence … until Onana saved it. Getty -
Failed to win an early challenge which led to Copenhagen striking the post. He did win a header from another fine Eriksen ball after 72 minutes to give United a crucial lead. Such a relief. Played well again. His best week for ages. EPA -
Has he ever passed the ball back so often? Or head the ball away for a corner? He’s been in and out all season. An in-form Varane can be one of United’s best players. AP -
First game back after a month out, so at least United have a left-back again. Shot towards goal deflected on 47. EPA -
Lovely ball to Antony on 21. Lost possession while stuck for options on 37. Too slow in a first half so bad that the referee blew up 13 seconds before time. He’s got energy but didn’t damage opponents. Taken off at half time. Getty -
Another night of frustration, though he was better in the second half and played the perfect ball forward to Garnacho on 66. Won the ball twice to start a 77th-minute attack, then ran onto a Rashford ball, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Booked. Getty -
Started better than against Sheffield United. Shot wide on 78, then conceded his second penalty in five days. Booked. AFP -
Came to life on 17, beating the stand in left-back twice. Does his stepovers, looks like he could be a threat. But a lack of end product means he isn’t. AP -
Sublime pass to Hojlund on 15. First and only United shot on target in the first half on 20. Poor touch from a 57th-minute Eriksen pass. Wasn’t taken off after an hour this time. EPA -
Chasing balls down from the start against his former club. No service until Rashford set him up on 15, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. He’ll get there. EPA -
SUBS: (Amrabat 45') Forced a first save of the match after 53, a low shot towards the corner. Made a difference, added urgency, forced players to go forward. Played in Rashford, then set up Maguire’s goal. Getty -
(Reguilon 62') Did well to anticipate and clear a Copenhagen cross on 69. AFP -
(Antony 62') His first touch of a Fernandes ball was the right one in front of goal, his second one wasn’t. Shot straight at goalkeeper well saved on 77. Brings urgency and stretches opponents; Anthony Martial (Hojlund 86') N/A. Getty -
COPENHAGEN RATINGS: Untested in a first half that delighted the dominant Danes. Kept his side on terms with an outstanding save after the break when he palmed away an Eriksen strike that looked destined for the corner, before denying Garnacho with another smart stop. AP -
Caught too high up the pitch which allowed Garnacho to race through on goal, but the youngster’s touch was far too heavy and a grateful Grabara was able to claim at the Argentine’s feet. AP -
Survived a scare when he gave Hojlund too much room to shoot but the in-form Dane could only lash over against his former side. Guilty of playing Maguire onside by the barest of margins as United snatched an unlikely win, but a significant one. Getty -
Read the danger superbly to divert Scott McTominay’s point-blank effort away from goal and managed to win his side a goal kick in the process. A vital intervention from the Dutchman to deny the United midfielder his fourth goal of the season. AFP -
Shown a clean pair of heels by Antony on more than one occasion. Improved after the break and forced a corner with a bright burst forward as the visitors sensed the opportunity to take all three points. Getty -
Produced a tidy block that took the sting out of a long-range Reguilon shot and allowed his goalkeeper to gather easily. Saw his powerful strike impressively saved by Onana at the other end second later. Getty -
Showed excellent strength to thwart his former teammate when he sent Hojlund sprawling and the referee waved away United’s penalty appeals. A big moment with Hojlund shaping to pull the trigger, but it looked like the right call. PA -
Nearly silenced the home crowd with just five minutes into the tie when he cracked the post from Elyounoussi’s inviting delivery. Knew when to slow things down and managed the game well in the middle, but equally always carried a threat. AFP -
Almost gave the visitors the perfect start when he floated in a beautiful cross that led to Copenhagen hitting the woodwork before his follow-up effort was deflected over. Caused problems throughout with his turn of pace. AP -
Showed excellent vision to pick out Lerager on the edge of the box with a super pass that sliced through the United defence, but the midfielder’s effort was beaten away by Onana. PA -
Lively. Burst out of the blocks and forced a save inside 60 seconds with a cleanly-struck effort from the edge of the box. Showed quick feet throughout and drilled another low effort into the side netting as he looked to squeeze an effort past Onana. EPA -
SUBS: (Jelert, ‘77). Looked to make a nuisance of himself on the left, but his most memorable involvement was throwing himself to the ground under a challenge from Dalot. AP -
(Goncalves, ‘85) - N/A. Saw his last-gasp penalty brilliantly saved by Onana to leave Copenhagen bottom of Group A as the sides prepare to battle it out again in two weeks’ time. Orri Oskarsson (Claesson, ‘76) - N/A. AFP -
(Claesson, ‘90). A late appearance for the younger of the Hojlunds, who very nearly had an immediate impact. It was his delivery that led to a penalty in the dying seconds too, only for Onana to steal the headlines. Getty
His partnership with Marcus Rashford will be vital as United are not scoring enough goals this season.
"You can see we are trying to find each other,” said Hojlund. “In the Sheffield (United) game, he nearly got an assist to me, and I think he has already assisted me twice in the Champions League. We are definitely trying to find each other on the pitch and I also tried to find him with a deep pass today, so we have a good connection.”
Despite the spotlight on him, Hojlund is not intimidated by his big price tag.
“I know my worth," he said. "I know I have to perform every day because I play for Manchester United. In the end, I am only 20 years old and I am not the finished article yet. I still have a lot to improve and I am getting there slowly. I reckon I have had a fine start to the season and now we have to keep building and the goals will come in the Premier League.
“It has gone fast, but I have always had the self-belief and I want to improve every day, and that is the reason why I am here. Hopefully I can keep my streak going upwards."
Manchester City await on Sunday and Hojlund is relishing the challenge.
“It would be a big experience, so I am looking forward to it,” he said. “It is always special to play a rival and if we win the game, we can get closer to the top, so it would be nice.”
As a United fan, he remembers some classic Manchester derbies.
“The bicycle kick from Wayne Rooney, of course! Everybody remembers that, don’t they?”
Hojlund, however, is his own man. He doesn’t enjoy comparisons with City’s Erling Haaland.
“I don’t want to be compared to him,” he says. “He is incredible and probably the best striker in the world right now. We can keep that on the low for now, but I hope I can improve and then we will see what I am capable of.”
As he’s talking, younger brother Oscar leaves. Rasmus shouts for him to wait.
“But the bus leaves now!”
“It can wait 10 minutes,” replies his older brother. “Mum and Dad are here.”
Rasmus knows Oscar won’t be able to keep his teammates waiting and unlike the game on Tuesday, there was no last minute drama as his brother sprints for his seat.
