Rasmus Højlund spotted his younger brother Oscar talking to reporters in the post-match mixed zone at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and finally he sensed an opportunity. The Manchester United striker leaned across a barrier to aim a playful dig at Oscar, who had come on as an 89th-minute substitute for Copenhagen in the Champions League Group A tie, which United edged 1-0. Rasmus then wound his way around until he was alongside him.
The brothers had kept missing each other. Before the game, when they were not allowed to meet, the first contact had been in the tunnel before kick-off. And on the pitch Rasmus was substituted in the 86th minute. He did pop into the visiting dressing room after the game to see Oscar and many familiar faces; Copenhagen were his first professional club. His other younger brother, Emil, who is Oscar’s twin, plays there too. They are 18. Emil was a part of the club’s 1-0 win over United in the Uefa Youth League at Leigh Sports Village earlier in the day.
Now, Rasmus draped an arm around Oscar and the interview came to involve both of them; a bit of time, at last – even if the quality of it had to be described as dubious given the company. What a scene it was, what a night for the Højlund family; mum and dad, Anders and Kirsten, were also at the stadium.
“It is a great feeling to be in the same game as my brother,” Rasmus said. “And not just in any stadium. In Denmark, Old Trafford is seen as one of the most special stadiums in the world.” Oscar called it an “incredibly cool match, huge”. He added: “Of course it was a shame that Rasmus was replaced a few minutes before I came on but that’s how it is.”
Oscar had a role in the late drama, moving the ball across towards Mohamed Elyounoussi after a 94th-minute corner and seeing Scott McTominay concede a penalty for a raised boot. It was an emotionally draining night as Old Trafford remembered the late Sir Bobby Charlton. Now André Onana saved the penalty from another Copenhagen substitute, Jordan Larsson, son of Henrik. United had been terrible in the first half; better but still lacking cohesion and authority in the second. They barely squeaked home.
“Copenhagen weren’t afraid to play,” Rasmus said. “They showed a lot of courage and good quality on the ball. But it’s also a game we have to win. We are Manchester United so we will end up with the right result.” Unsurprisingly, Oscar was having none of that. “We were clearly the best in the first half so it’s a shame that we couldn’t take anything home.”
It said everything about where United were during the first half, where they are in general during a troubled season, that the Old Trafford crowd booed them off at the break. Højlund, though, was a positive. What little United did in the opening 45 minutes involved him; his energy and aggression, the certainty of his touches. He had more nice moments in the second half, when he linked the play well. The United support were desperate for something to get behind. In Højlund they had it. Their relationship with the 20-year-old £72m summer signing is developing.
“I try to show personality, I want to give 110% every time I play a football match,” Højlund said. “Maybe that is the reason why they are showing a special bond towards me.”
Højlund’s personality has underpinned his meteoric rise. Exactly three years ago he made his professional debut as a stoppage-time substitute for Copenhagen against Aarhus. It feels incredible that his hometown club were happy to sell him for €1.8m to Sturm Graz in January 2022. He excelled there as a teenager and it was onwards to Atalanta and then United.
“It has gone fast but I have always had the self-belief and I want to improve every day – that is the reason why I am here,” Højlund said. “Hopefully I can keep my streak going upwards.”
Højlund arrived at United with a back injury. He missed pre-season and the first three games of the campaign. Erik ten Hag continues to manage his minutes. Højlund’s three goals have come in the Champions League – one at Bayern Munich, two against Galatasaray; both games were lost. He has none in six in the Premier League, where United have recorded back-to-back wins over Brentford and Sheffield United.
What has shone through on the pitch and, indeed, in the mixed zone post-Copenhagen, is Højlund’s comfort in his new surroundings. He certainly does not consider his price tag to be a burden.
“I know my worth,” Højlund replied, when asked about it. “I know I have to perform every day because I play for Manchester United. 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. We have to keep building and the goals will come in the Premier League.”
He readily admits that he is living the dream, having supported United as a kid, and so what price his first league goal being against Manchester City in Sunday’s derby? He briefly detoured on to his favourite memory from the game. “The bicycle kick from Wayne Rooney, of course,” he says. “Everybody remembers that, don’t they?”
Højlund does not want to be compared to a Scandinavian centre-forward on the opposite side of the Manchester divide. To him, Erling Haaland is “probably the best striker in the world right now.” Yet you suspect that Haaland is in his thoughts and sights. “We can keep that on the low for now,” Højlund continued. “But I hope I can improve and then we will see what I am capable of.”
The elder Højlund watched Oscar head off out of Old Trafford and shouted at him to wait. “But the bus leaves now,” Oscar yelled back. “It can wait for 10 minutes … mum and dad are here,” Højlund said.
Oscar could not wait and the Copenhagen bus did leave. For Højlund and his family, life moves fast. They are cramming an awful lot in.
