Rasmus Hojlund at centre of Denmark disaster as minnows dent World Cup dream

Rasmus Hojlund left Manchester United on a season-long loan to Napoli this summer and will hope to lead the line for Denmark in next summer’s World Cup

Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund was at the centre of a disastrous night for Denmark as they missed a golden chance to book their World Cup ticket next summer.

With Scotland losing away to Greece, the Danes had the chance to all but secure their spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer by beating Belarus. However, they drew 2-2 with their lowly opponents in Copenhagen to ensure their qualification goes down to the final game on Tuesday.

Denmark were on course to win at half time thanks to Mikkel Damsgaard’s goal but a crazy three minutes saw Belarus turn the tables on their opponents. Gustav Isaksen rescued a point for the home side who now need to avoid defeat away to Scotland to secure an automatic path to the World Cup and avoid the play-offs.

Hojlund pulled out before the contest with illness and his absence in attack was felt as the Danes struggled to take the numerous chances they created. United’s Patrick Dorgu played the full 90 minutes while ex-Red Christian Eriksen played 70 minutes before being substituted.

Dorgu is in a battle at both domestic and international level for minutes and his manager Brian Riemer has admitted the full-back deserves more game time for his country. “It’s Patrick’s turn,” Riemer told Bold prior to the clash on Saturday.

“He’s a player who deserves more playing time than I’ve given him. Based on his achievements, he could have received more playing time. But there is no doubt about Patrick’s qualities. He is a player who has everything.

“His physique cannot be better, he is fast and aggressive. He has the whole package, but he is still a young man and therefore has not been in the difficult situations with decisive matches.

“He has to listen carefully when we train. When you’re young, you have to adapt. Because there’s a big change in how we play and then the way Manchester United plays.”

Hojlund has fared well since leaving United for Napoli in the summer. So far, he has four goals in ten matches for the Italian club.

Whether he will have overcome illness to return for the crucial qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow on Tuesday remains to be seen. If Denmark avoid defeat, they will qualify automatically for the tournament but, if they lose, it will be Steve Clarke’s side on their way to the World Cup and the Danes will have to settle for a play-off.

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