Rasmus Hojlund insists Erik ten Hag retains the full support of the Manchester United dressing room, despite another chastening defeat.
A 4-3 loss in Copenhagen means United’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread. It was their third defeat from four group games and their ninth of 17 in all competitions.
Initially, there were few signs of what was to unfold in the Danish capital, as Hojlund scored against his former club twice in the opening 28 minutes to put the visitors in complete control. But the game turned before half time when Marcus Rashford was given a straight red for a clumsily high challenge on Elias Jelert.
Copenhagen scored twice before the break, only for United to re-establish their lead in the second half through a Bruno Fernandes penalty. But two goals in the final 10 minutes settled the game and condemned Ten Hag’s side to the bottom of the Group A standings.
The United boss has already overseen the worst start from a United side since 1961, with the scrutiny only increasing with every passing week. Hojlund showed his anger towards his team-mates during the game at Parken Stadium, with Manchester Evening News reporting he was ‘going ballistic’ at Diogo Dalot following the concession of the third goal.
That’s his second show of emotion in a matter of days, after failing to conceal his frustrations following his withdrawal at Fulham. But the summer signing is adamant that Ten Hag is still the right man for the job and that things at Old Trafford will quickly turn around.
Asked about Ten Hag, Hojlund said: "A really good coach. He cares about every single detail, and he helps me a lot, gives me a lot of confidence and supports me.
“I think every player in the dressing room supports him. I hope it is just a matter of time (before United turn their season around). The first 30 minutes today was some of the best football we have been playing this season."
From an individual perspective, it was another impressive European showing from Hojlund, who signed from Atalanta for £72m during the summer window. And although he is yet to score in the Premier League, he now has five goals in his first four Champions League games for United - setting a new club record.
He added: "A special game for me. It was nice to score two goals but having said that, it is a shame that we had a red card because we were playing very well in the first 20-25 minutes. We need a little luck at the moment. We miss the small things.
"It was very special for me to hear the FC Copenhagen hymn before the match of course but I am playing for Manchester United and that is the team I hope to win every match.
"It is irritating and frustrating (that he is scoring without winning), but I cannot do so much about it. That’s how football is."