Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes the club have been vindicated with their PS72million move for Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund has scored eight goals in his past eight United games and became the youngest player to score in six successive Premier League matches with his two-goal performance in the 2-1 victory at Luton Town.

The 21-year-old did not score in his first 14 league appearances for United but he now has 13 goals in 30 games this season.

"We are very happy with our recruitment," Ten Hag enthused, "that we recruited the right character because he can perform under stress. And when things go against him like in the first half of the season, he has the abilities to have a strong character, to be resilient, to be determined and to score goals and that is what we saw when we scouted him.

"Of course, he needed some support because it's not so easy when you're so young but, in general, he kept calm and you see his abilities.

"In the start, he didn't have so much luck. He scored some goals, for instance, the one against Brighton, his first [Premier League start], and they disallowed it and no one still knows why.

"There are moments that are very important in a new club and a new league, especially for a striker to build some confidence. That was not given but you see he is a fighter, he keeps going and he has great abilities in front of the goal.

"There are many ranges, areas, where he can improve but he has scoring abilities, that is clear. But what we have seen since September is he is improving in many other areas like holding up the ball."

Kobbie Mainoo also shone on his 11th successive start for United. The 18-year-old only made his full league debut against Everton on November 26 and he is in the running for a maiden call-up to the England squad for next month's international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

"Kobbie was very mature and I think he is progressing from game to game," Ten Hag noted. "Hopefully, the process will keep going on."