Ruben Amorim praise for Manchester United player could hint at a new role for £64m man

It could have been another night of frustration for Rasmus Hojlund. After one shot out of Manchester United's 25 at Bournemouth at the weekend, he didn't get a single shot away at San Mames, despite his team racking up 14 attempts at the Athletic Club goal.

Despite the blank, Hojlund would have left the game feeling pleased with his work, and he soon had praise from Ruben Amorim ringing in his ears. The 40-year-old said it was the Danish striker's "best game" since he was appointed head coach.

In a way, Amorim's praise for Hojlund's performance reveals a lot of what he wants from a No.9 in his 3-4-2-1 system. He praised his ability to make the runs and secure the ball, which is something Viktor Gyokeres excelled at when he played under Amorim at Sporting.

Yes, the Swede is a prolific goalscorer - albeit in a much easier league - but he could run the channels to always give Sporting an out ball, and he could use his pace and strength to hold the ball up and bring others into play.

Beyond their Scandinavian backgrounds, Hojlund and Gyokeres share obvious similarities. Both are well-built and can be powerful and pacey runners. What they don't share at the moment is that eye for goal. Hojlund has just two goals in his last 30 games for United.

But in Bilbao, he turned in a performance that was full of stature, at the very least. United scored three times, could have had more, and the attack clicked. Hojlund held the ball up superbly, and when he does that, his ability to link play and bring others into the game is excellent.

He showed that side of his game against Lyon as well and looks so much more assured on the European stage than he does in the Premier League. He arguably sums this United side up. Pussycats in the