Rasmus Hojlund explains how he became a 'killer' goalscorer as Man Utd striker insists he doesn't care what his haters think

As he approaches the end of his first season in English football, Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund has discussed how he has changed his approach to the game and why he can block out his critics amid what has been a turbulent season for the Red Devils.

Hojlund told France Football: "When I was little I scored a lot of goals. I always did. But it’s by working a lot that you become a killer, by repeating the drills: right foot, left foot, volleys, shoulder positioning. And then as you grow up, you also become much better off the field.

"Here in Manchester that’s what happened, my approach to the game became a lot more professional. I learned one thing you have to be very fresh on the match day. I know my level, I know that I can play very well. But if I recover badly, with the matches that we have every three days here then it can be complicated."

He added: "Manchester United is so big, the Premier League is so huge... people are obviously more focused on you than before. It was hard at the beginning. Now, I am much calmer, I no longer worry too much about what is said. I know that I am a good player and that if I get chances, I will score a lot of goals."

Hojlund will be looking to end his first season at United on a high, when the Red Devils take on their local rivals Manchester City in next weekend's FA Cup final.

Going into Sunday's final match of the Premier League, Hojlund has netted 15 times in 41 games, to mark a steady, if unspectacular, start to life at Old Trafford following his £72 million ($92m) move from Atalanta last summer. It is clear from these quotes, however, that Hojlund takes improving his game seriously and he can be hopeful of improving next season.

Manchester United have endured one of their worst-ever Premier League seasons and while a win next weekend over their biggest rivals would always be welcome, the club face a summer of transition.

New head of football operations Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces a decision over manager Erik ten Hag, while there is likely to be major surgery to the playing squad, with plenty of deadwood set to be discarded if the club are to sign the kind of young, dynamic players that they have been linked with in recent weeks.