“I hope he proves a point” – Man United star tipped to win ‘important duel’ vs Crystal Palace

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has tipped Rasmus Hojlund to win an ‘important duel’ against Joachim Andersen in the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

The Reds faced up against the London-based side in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and came out 3-0 victors and Roy Hodgson’s side will be travelling to Old Trafford again.

This time, new signing Hojlund is likely to start the encounter. He came off the bench mid-week but was unable to score and will be eager to make an impact in the Premier League game.

He will have an ‘important duel’ against his national teammate Andersen, says Parker, and despite there still being question marks over the striker’s head, the former defender believes that he will succeed and tips him as the future of the Old Trafford club.

“I like Crystal Palace because they are an honest team. They always give their 100% but coming to Old Trafford, they are aware that Man United are big, big favourites. But it will be a difficult game. Every game is a challenge at the moment,” Parker told SpilXperten.

“There will be a very important duel going on between the two Danish friends, Joachim Andersen and Rasmus Hojlund.

“Andersen loves a challenge, everyone knows that. I like him a lot because he is very old-fashioned in the way he plays.

“He is very aggressive and very clever. He likes to whine people up. I don’t know if he is going to whine up his mate.

“I hope Hojlund will go out and prove a point but sometimes it´s very difficult to play against a very good friend, so I don´t hope they are friends as such. But I hope he will do well. A lot of people are still questioning him because of the fee Man United paid for him.

“But you got to have an understanding of his age. I can see that some people says that Man United should have kept Ronaldo but obviously, I don’t agree with that. Rasmus Hojlund is the future of this club.”

Hojlund scored his first goal for United during their Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich and now has a chance to open his account in league fixtures.

He thought he did so when he dispatched a difficult chance against Brighton, but VAR later disallowed the goal.