Manchester United may be able to learn from Denmark at the European Championships about how to service Rasmus Hojlund more successfully next season.

Hojlund, 21, scored 16 goals during an individually successful debut season at United, but the striker went through stretches where runs behind defences were not being found by teammates. The £72 million signing scored half of those goals during a fine run of form from Boxing Day to mid-February. Either side of that goal glut were barren stretches, particularly in the Premier League, as United teammates left Hojlund starved of service.

For Denmark, it has been similarly feast or famine for the Copenhagen native in front of goal. After scoring five in his first two starts, Hojlund has not scored since October ahead of the Euros.

But former Rangers goalkeeper and 11-time Denmark international Jesper Christiansen has no worries about that scoreless run. “I’m not nervous,” he told Tipsbladet. “(Hojlund) just needs to be serviced.

“He is dangerous in the box, he hurts the defence, and it’s clear that the opponents keep an extra eye on him – they know what he can do.” Christiansen also acknowledged that Hojlund’s mere presence “might give more freedom” to strike partner Jonas Wind and Denmark’s number ten Christian Eriksen,” before reiterating: “Hojlund needs to be serviced.

“That’s why I want us to play with wing-backs who just go down the flanks and just service him in the box. If you have Hojlund and (Jonas) Wind in there, you can hurt them.”

Christiansen continued: “(Hojlund) gives me goosebumps. It’s such a cool story with him. To come to such a big club and already have made a name for himself like he has over there, despite the adversity he faced, it’s impressive for such a young kid. It’s awesome.”