Rasmus Hojlund supported by eight Man United players amid Cristiano Ronaldo controversy

Rasmus Hojlund supported by eight Man United players amid Cristiano Ronaldo controversy

Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund has received support from his teammates after controversialy copying Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after scoring for Denmark on Thursday.

Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after scoring the winner for Denmark against Portugal (Image: Getty Images )

Rasmus Hojlund has received support from eight Manchester United teammates after his controversial copying of Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration.

The Reds striker netted a 78th-minute winner for Denmark against Ronaldo's Portugal during their 1-0 win in Thursday's Nations League quarter-final first-leg clash at Parken Stadium. The second leg will take place in Lisbon on Sunday evening, with the winner to face either Germany or Italy in June's semi-finals.

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Hojlund has posted a message on his Instagram alongside a photo of his Ronaldo-inspired celebration. "The 7-year-old fan in me might’ve gotten the overhand after I scored.," he said.

Hojlund's post has received eight likes from his teammates at Old Trafford. Harry Amass, Leny Yoro, Altay Bayındır, Patrick Dorgu, Chido Obi, Joshua Zirkzee, Ethan Wheatley and Matthijs de Ligt have all shown their support.

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The 22-year-old explained post-match on Thursday that his celebration was not intended to mock Ronaldo who he has idolised since childhood.

"It’s for my idol. It’s not like I’m mocking him or anything. I’ve just always said that he has a lot of importance to me and my football career," he explained.

"It’s maybe a bit ambivalent, but scoring against him and Portugal is huge. I was there and saw him in 2009 when he scored from a free kick and I’ve been a fan ever since."

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The Dane's goal came after he ended his 21-game goal drought for United last weekend against Leicester City. Hojlund's form has come at the perfect time, with Ruben Amorim's team needing his goals as they seek to win the Europa League this season.

Ronaldo has also received support from United players, with Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot and Wheatley liking his most recent post.

"We have 90 minutes to turn around," he said on Instagram in Portuguese. In a warning to Denmark's players, he added: "Roll on Portugal!"

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