Brentford boss Thomas Frank hails ‘incredible’ Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and hopes he can go on to become another of Denmark’s footballing greats

Brentford boss Thomas Frank hopes Manchester United starlet Rasmus Hojlund can follow in the footsteps of Christian Eriksen and the Laudrup brothers in becoming one of football’s great Danes.

Hojlund, who signed for United this summer from Atalanta for £60 million this summer, scored his second and third goals for the club in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray and Frank said he was delighted to see his 20-year-old compatriot shine on the big stage.

‘I know he is not playing for Brentford, but I am Danish and I’m happy to see Danish players coming through and doing well,’ said Frank, whose side faces United today at Old Trafford.

‘I must say he was impressive against Galatasaray, two very good goals, he looks like he is in a very good place and hopefully we can keep him quiet on Saturday.

Fellow Dane Thomas Frank has hailed the young striker as both ‘impressive’ and ‘incredible’

‘It is a fine balance for me. I want the Danish national team to do well and that is why I am happy Danish players are doing well except when we are playing against them.’

Frank said in Danish coaching circles,Hojlund was seen as something of a late bloomer – much like Harry Kane in his early days at Tottenham where he never stood out as a potential superstar.

‘I think if you look at the way he got through the system (he did) not from a young age, although he is only 20,’ he said.

‘If you compare him with Eriksson the Laudrups, these kinds of guys, with them at 18 there was never a doubt.

The starlet made his senior team debut for Denmark in 2022 and has since scored six goals in his eight appearances

‘But he has taken some super impressive big steps that have raised him up a level. Now it’s about consistent performances.

‘He is 20 years old and to be leading the line for Man United is quite incredible.

‘But I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, there are enough people doing that.’

Brentford have a good track record of signing Danish players but Frank admitted Hojlund was never really on the club’s radar.

‘We try to be around everyone but there is timing and there was never really a chance,’ he said