Having taken a little time to hit his stride, Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is finally showing why the club were so eager to sign him last summer.
His double at Luton Town over the weekend was his eighth goal in eight games – a run which has got the fans dreaming about what lies ahead.
The Red Devils are now in contention to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League while winning the FA Cup is also a realistic target.
United’s sizeable global fanbase will likely be viewing odds of 8/1 to lift the latter trophy as good value given Hojlund’s recent run of scoring form.
BetAfriq’s entrance in the Kenyan market seems sure to spark plenty of betting activity there, particularly with United securing a favourable draw in the fifth round.
Erik ten Hag’s side visit Nottingham Forest on February 28 and are the bookmakers’ favourites to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
United were defeated 2-1 on their last visit to the City Ground, which ended a run of 11 consecutive victories over Forest in all competitions.
With the home side firmly embroiled in the relegation battle, manager Nuno Espirito Santo may decide to rotate his team for the United clash.
Forest face crucial league games against Aston Villa (A) and Liverpool (H) either side of the cup tie and can ill-afford to pick up injuries to key players.
While United are scheduled to visit Manchester City after the cup match, they have an additional day to prepare for that crucial league fixture.
Ten Hag looks guaranteed to pick a strong line-up for the trip to Forest, and Hojlund is certain to start following his stellar run of recent form.
The 21-year-old became the youngest Premier League player to score in six straight games with his opener against Luton, and his confidence is sky-high at the moment.
The former Atalanta star has flourished alongside Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, and the trio are now giving United the cutting edge they lacked.
Hojlund’s power and aggression make him the ideal focal point for United and have drawn inevitable comparisons with Man City striker Erling Braut Haaland.
Although it would be foolish to get too carried away with his performances just yet, Hojlund is beginning to show why Ten Hag rates him so highly.
The Denmark international will be key to United’s hopes of salvaging something from a season that look destined to implode not too long ago.
Finishing in the top four is the ultimate aim with Champions League football up for grabs, but winning silverware also matters to clubs of United’s stature.
Of the teams remaining in the competition, Man City and Liverpool may feel they have bigger fish to fry as they battle to win the Premier League and in Europe.
Newcastle United and Chelsea will fancy their chances after drawing Championship sides in the last-16, but United are perfectly capable of beating either of them if they meet in the FA Cup.
The first order of business will be to see off a Forest side which deservedly triumphed when they last met at the City Ground in December.
United were poor on that occasion, but they have since gone eight games unbeaten in all competitions, and Hojlund has played a big part in that run.
If he continues in the same vein over the next few months, winning the FA Cup and securing a top-four finish in the Premier League are achievable aims.
