A 329-word statement announcing the then 18-year-old’s departure closes with a simple, 11-word sentence that now seems absolutely exhilarating, when placed in the context of tonight’s match: ‘Maybe we will see each other again at a later date.’ Few in world football would have confidently predicted that the reunion would take place at Old Trafford, in the Champions League last month, with Hojlund topping the group-stage scoring charts (alongside Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez) after two matchdays. Perhaps not even those who know Rasmus best.
Stefan Madsen, Copenhagen’s current assistant coach, first glimpsed Hojlund’s talents when the player was representing the youth ranks of their great rivals, Brondby, many years ago.