'The hard work pays off': Hojlund admits relief after scoring his first EPL goal

Rasmus Hojlund was relieved to get his first Premier League goal for Manchester United when he scored the winner in a 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa, but the young Dane denied that it has lifted a weight off his shoulders.

Hojlund’s decisive strike came in the 82nd minute of his 15th league game for United since signing from Atalanta for £72million in the summer.

The 20-year-old has scored five times in the Champions League for Erik ten Hag’s side but a domestic goal had eluded him for 16 games if you also include two Carabao Cup ties.

Although Hojlund admitted to a sense of relief, which was evident in his wild celebrations at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, he dismissed suggestions that a burden had been lifted.

‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘I just try to focus on my game and try to put myself in front of the goal all the time.

‘Of course, there is a relief to score my first Premier League goal, but it isn't like I haven't scored goals. I've scored five in the Champions League.

‘So, I was very happy and you can see the relief in my celebration, but also the feeling of being the match winner and getting the three points at home against a good opponent. I'm a lucky and happy man.

‘I try not to focus too much about the media. If I did that, I would get crazy in my head. I just try to focus on my game and try to be better at the training pitch every day. The hard work pays off.’

Hojlund hasn’t been helped by poor service from his teammates during his first season in English football.

It emerged after the defeat at West Ham on Saturday that Antony and Alejandro Garnacho had averaged just one pass per game to United’s new signing in the Premier League.

Marcus Rashford went into Tuesday’s game with just two goals and two assists in