Rasmus Hojlund has lavished praise on Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford amid the Englishman's struggles in the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

Rashford was in excellent form for the Red Devils during the 2022-23 season, scoring 30 times and registering 11 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions.

The 25-year-old has found it difficult to show his best form this term, though, scoring just once in 10 appearances, in addition to providing three assists.

Rashford has been substituted in Man United's last three games in all competitions, and there have recently been rumours that his starting role at the club is now in severe doubt.

Hojlund has arguably been the team's most productive forward this term, scoring three goals in eight appearances following his arrival from Atalanta BC over the summer.

The Denmark international's three goals have come in the Champions League, but he has also impressed in his five Premier League outings despite not yet managing to find the back of the net.

Hojlund and Rashford are currently away with their national teams but will come back together towards the end of next week to prepare for the Premier League clash with Sheffield United on October 21.

The Dane has backed his teammate amid his issues, insisting that Rashford is "a world-class player".

"I really like and enjoy playing with him. He is a world-class player," Hojlund told reporters. "He's a player I've looked up to, even though he's only a few years older than me. He has done well since he came in as a 19-year-old and scored against Midtjylland.

"I think he has been a great player ever since, and it is of course great that we are teammates today.

"We try to talk to each other and he knows I'm going to be there. He knows I can keep up with his pace when we go on the counter."

Ahead of last weekend's clash with Brentford, Man United head coach Erik ten Hag said that Rashford still has the full support of everyone at the club.

The forward will be bidding to be involved in England's next two internationals against Australia and Italy on Friday and next Tuesday respectively.

Hojlund, meanwhile, will be hoping to feature in Denmark's upcoming clashes with Kazakhstan and San Marino. body check tags ::