Rasmus Hojlund, a striker for Manchester United and the Danish national team, has accused players from San Marino of deliberately trying to “destroy his career” with dangerous tackles during Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifier. In Denmark’s 2-1 victory over San Marino, Hojlund was subject to several dangerous tackles, with the worst being a knee to the back from Roberto Di Maio in the 88th minute. Hojlund expressed his frustration and called for a straight red card for the tackle. He believed that the San Marino players were intentionally trying to injure him and end his career.
Hojlund’s goal celebration after scoring the opener reportedly offended San Marino duo Alessandro Tosi and Filippo Fabri, but Hojlund stated that their reaction was not justified. While he acknowledged that the game became physical, he believed that the San Marino players took it to another level with their attempts to injure him. Hojlund claimed that they had nothing to lose and decided to try to destroy his career.
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer also expressed anger and compared Di Maio’s challenge to a tackle in the 2014 World Cup when Neymar was injured by a Colombia defender. Kjaer overheard San Marino players discussing how to target Hojlund and criticized their deliberate actions. Kjaer argued that the tackle against Hojlund deserved a red card and called for VAR intervention.
Hojlund will now shift his focus to club football and return to action with Manchester United in a Premier League match against Sheffield United on Saturday.