Hojlund recently expressed his preference for partnering with a former Manchester United player rather than Cristiano Ronaldo in his dream strike partnership.

“He’s focused on his goals but aims to elevate others” – Hojlund picks former Manchester United star over Cristiano Ronaldo as ideal strike partner

Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund has chosen Wayne Rooney over Cristiano Ronaldo when asked about his dream strike partner from the club’s legends.

Hojlund, a Danish striker, narrowly missed the chance to play alongside Ronaldo by six months, as he joined the club after Ronaldo’s departure.

In an interview with the club’s media, Hojlund praised Rooney’s qualities, highlighting his work ethic and drive to improve others:

“I believe Wayne would be my choice because he’s like a bulldog on the field. He’s dedicated to the game and strives to elevate those around him while also scoring goals himself.

“I envision a strong partnership with him, especially considering his versatility and my ability to make dynamic runs. Although we haven’t played together yet, I’m optimistic about our potential to score many goals.”

Despite his preference for Rooney, Hojlund expressed deep respect for Cristiano Ronaldo, admiring his determination and self-belief:

“Ronaldo’s journey from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the best is inspiring. His confidence in stating his ambitions early on resonates with me as I also strive to be the best version of myself.”

Regarding Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United, it followed a controversial interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022, where he criticized the club and manager Erik ten Hag. This led to the termination of his contract, and Ronaldo subsequently joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

During his second stint at Old Trafford, Ronaldo scored 27 goals in 54 appearances across various competitions, though his return did not unfold as expected.