List of All Articles with Tag 'per'

Erik ten Hag is convinced Rasmus Hojlund has the quality, confidence and bravery to flourish at Manchester United as the summer signing prepares to make his debut. The Old Trafford giants have needed a striker for some time and plumped for potential rather than the proven Harry Kane, who instead left Tottenham for perennial Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. United signed talented Hojlund at the start of August in a £64million deal that could reach £72million, but a back issue has prevented him featuring in the first three Premier League matches of the season. But Ten Hag says the 20-year-old is fit to make his debut at Arsenal on Sunday, possibly even from the start, and is excited by the Denmark international’s potential. “He didn’t even play games but now in the training sessions, he confirms the impression we had of him when we scouted him,” the United boss said. “We really intensely scouted him. He’s acting very good this week, very good spirit. He’s very motivated, of course, to start, to be in the team. “He can’t wait and I think we did the right thing (waiting for his debut) but, of course, I would have appreciated it if it was from the first game on, but that was not the case. “But now he is fit, we are happy, he will definitely strengthen the squad and give a very good impact on the team.” Boyhood United fan Hojlund began his career at hometown club FC Copenhagen, before spells with Austria side Sturm Graz and Italian team Atalanta. When he is brave and has belief, the rest will come Erik ten Hag on Rasmus Hojlund The 20-year-old scored nine goals in Serie A last season, as well as six in as many appearances for the Denmark national team. “He is brave and that’s enough,” Ten Hag said. “When he is brave and has belief, the rest will come.” Hojlund’s profile, career trajectory and Scandinavian roots have led to some comparisons to Erling Haaland, who United tried to sign in the past and is now firing in goals aplenty at rivals Manchester City. Asked if he can cope with the comparisons to the Norway striker, Ten Hag said: “I think he is a different character in our squad and that makes it really exciting. “I think for the balance in the squad, it’s very good and already we noticed this week when he came in a different spirit is coming up. “He gives that energy, so you see other players get energy from it, so it’s very good. “Just let him settle in, give him time. No player can act from the start. “Of course we expect a huge impact but also he needs time to settle into the team, to settle into the way of play. “The rest will come. I’m very convinced of that.” Hojlund will face former club FC Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage, where United will also take on Galatasaray and face Kane-led Bayern. “I think we have a very interesting draw,” Ten Hag said. “All big teams, but that is normal in Champions League. “We are really looking forward because you get challenged on the highest level.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rob Page will not be ‘influenced by negativity’ ahead of critical Wales period Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up Getafe boss eager to help Mason Greenwood ‘recover professional status’ in Spain

Alex Palou has been on cruise control all season as he’s chased a second IndyCar championship in three years

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Oklahoma freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold entered in relief of Dillon Gabriel in a blowout win over Arkansas State and showed what he could bring to the program in the near future.

Iowa may have improved to 1-0 on the year, but Brian Ferentz's Hawkeyes offense mustered only 24 points vs. Utah State. That is below the pace he needs to stay employed.

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Mikey Keene threw for four touchdowns to lead Fresno State to a 39-35 win over Purdue in the season opener for both teams

Cade McNamara threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in his Iowa debut as the No. 25 Hawkeyes defeated Utah State 24-14

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Roberto De Zerbi believes Brighton star Evan Ferguson can develop into one of Europe’s leading strikers after he became only the fourth teenager to hit a Premier League hat-trick. The 18-year-old joined late former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Bart-Williams and ex-Liverpool strikers Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen on an exclusive list with a match-winning treble in Saturday evening’s thumping 3-1 success over Newcastle. Ferguson slotted home on the rebound to give Albion a first-half lead before bending home a superb second and then claiming the match ball with a deflected finish five minutes later. Seagulls boss De Zerbi feels the Republic of Ireland international offers far more than just a threat in front of goal and has potential to rival the game’s elite marksmen. “His improvement is important for him, for us, for his career because he’s working to complete his qualities, not only score, because he can become big, big, big,” said the Italian coach. “His qualities are enough to become a great player, one of the top scorers in Europe. “He’s (born in) 2004. I don’t know how many young players like Evan they score these goals in their careers.” Ferguson, who made his professional debut for Irish club Bohemians aged just 14, now has 10 top-flight goals in just 12 starts following a standout display at the Amex Stadium. His heroics capped a memorable week for Brighton in which they were drawn to face Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens in their maiden Europa League campaign and signed Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona. With the summer transfer window closing on Friday, the Seagulls are not in imminent danger of Ferguson being poached by a bigger club. Yet De Zerbi has no concerns about that eventually happening. “It’s normal for Brighton to sell players,” he said. “The most important thing for Brighton is not to keep the most important players but to find their replacement. This is the right work we have to do. “About Ferguson, I’m really delighted today but not for the goals. “OK, with his goals we can be happy now because we won the game but I’m really pleased for the performance, especially in the first half. “He played very well, he found the right position between the lines. Newcastle defended 4-4-1-1 and with 4-4 there is the open space to receive the ball for the striker. “He understood very well that position.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mathys Tel helps Bayern Munich come back and win at Borussia Monchengladbach Jack Draper silences New York crowd with four-set win over American Michael Mmoh Marco Silva says it should be ‘impossible’ to allow controversial Man City goal