Amorim Hails Hojlund’s Best Performance Yet in Europa League Semi-Final
On a European night that could mark a turning point in Manchester United’s rollercoaster season, manager Ruben Amorim didn’t hesitate to heap praise on one of his most scrutinized players — Rasmus Hojlund. While the young Danish striker didn’t get his name on the scoresheet during United’s emphatic 3-0 away victory over Athletic Club, he won more than just a penalty. According to Ruben Amorim, Hojlund earned something even more important: belief.
United’s Europa League semi-final first-leg performance in Bilbao was as clinical as it was composed. It was a match where they absorbed early pressure, rode out a few nervy moments, and then delivered a brutal three-goal blitz before the halftime whistle. The Spanish side’s collapse was accelerated by Dani Vivian’s red card, drawn by Hojlund’s bursting run that won the crucial penalty.
Amorim, who took charge of the Red Devils amid turmoil, didn’t mince his words after the final whistle: “It was the best game he had with me as coach. He helped the team a lot. He secured the ball and made runs. It was a good moment for him.”
Hojlund: Beyond the Goals
Strikers are judged on goals, fair or not. And in that sense, Rasmus Hojlund has had a mixed debut season at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old arrived with promise and pedigree but has struggled to consistently find the net, especially in the Premier League. For many critics, that was enough to write him off.
But against Athletic Club, it was the intangibles that stood out. His hold-up play. His relentless movement off the ball. His willingness to press and stretch a defensive line. Those elements don’t show up on the scoresheet, but they shape games.
“He was everywhere,” said a member of United’s backroom staff after the match. “He pulled defenders out of position, dropped into midfield when needed, and just kept making himself available. He played like a veteran.”
The penalty he won may have been the most visible contribution, but it was far from his only one. And in Ruben Amorim’s eyes, it was indicative of a striker growing into the demands of wearing the red shirt.
Amorim: The Maguire Comparison
In a press conference that felt more like a motivational seminar, Ruben Amorim made an intriguing comparison. He linked Hojlund’s trajectory to that of Harry Maguire, another United player who was once viewed as a liability but has recently flipped the narrative.
“Like Harry, he needs to understand everything can change,” Ruben Amorim noted. “Let’s focus on the next one [against Brentford].”
That reference is no coincidence. Maguire, long the butt of jokes and transfer rumors, has managed to claw back a spot in the starting lineup and is now being lauded for his leadership and consistency. Ruben Amorim is clearly hoping Hojlund can use this game as a similar launchpad.
“It’s a good lesson for all the players,” the manager continued. “Sometimes you have moments where you think, ‘I will never recover from this or that.’ Anything can happen.”
Lessons in Resilience and Perspective
United fans will know all too well how quickly the narrative can change. From “crisis club” headlines to “statement performance” declarations, the club lives under a microscope. Ruben Amorim’s remarks serve as a reminder that progress is rarely linear.
“The history of this game can tell you a lot,” Ruben Amorim said. “It looks like we are struggling a lot, but then everything changes and people say it’s the best game of the season.”
That swings in perception can be maddening, but they’re part of life at Manchester United. Ruben Amorim, to his credit, is trying to instill a longer-term view in his squad.
“Players have moments in their life where they just have to keep working,” he added. “And things can change for the better.”
A Turning Point for Hojlund?
Whether this game becomes a defining moment in Rasmus Hojlund’s career at Manchester United remains to be seen. But if nothing else, it offered a blueprint for what he can be. Not just a finisher, but a facilitator. A player who makes others around him better.
The praise from Ruben Amorim didn’t feel performative or obligatory. It felt earned. And more importantly, it felt like the start of something.
With the second leg at Old Trafford on the horizon, Hojlund has a chance to cement this momentum and begin rewriting his United story. He may not be the finished article, but on nights like this, he looks like someone who could eventually live up to the hype.
In a club known for its legends, the young Dane has taken one significant step toward becoming part of that lineage. And if he keeps playing like he did in Bilbao, he won’t need to worry about critics for much longer.
