RASMUS HOJLUND claims San Marino “targeted” him after he was replaced by Denmark during their Euro 2024 qualifier due to injury concerns.

The Manchester United forward, 20, was replaced in stoppage time as his side defeated the minnows 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Rasmus Hojlund claims he was ‘targeted’ by the San Marino players

Roberto Di Maio put his knee into Hojlund’s back in the 75th minute

The challenge earned Di Maio a yellow card

Hojlund, who scored the game’s first goal in the first half, was spotted wincing as he walked off the field.

In the 75th minute, San Marino’s Roberto Di Maio planted a strong knee into the back of the Dane.

The defender was given a yellow card for the challenge, which occurred only seconds after he entered the field.

In his post-match interview, Denmark captain Simon Kjaer stated that he overheard opposition players instructing one other to “go for Hojlund’s knees.”

He also compared Di Maio’s challenge to the one that broke Neymar’s vertebra at the 2014 World Cup.

Kjaer is believed to have complained to the referee about San Marino’s handling of Hojlund.

Hojlund, who had a back problem at the start of the season, subsequently offered his opinion, accusing the San Marino players of carrying out a pre-planned attack on him.

Hojlund scored on Tuesday night but there is now concern over a possible injury

“I believe they targeted me, as you can see at the end,” he claimed.

“I speak Italian, and I could hear them remark that they had the plan to smash me.

“You can see from the images that he only had one idea in mind.”

“That’s not true,” San Marino defender Alessandro Tosi responded.

“We just told him he wasn’t behaving properly.” It was unnecessary for him to do what he did. He is a powerful striker, but he was not at all fair.

“I haven’t lost all respect for him, but we expected better from him.” His celebratory behavior was wrong.”

Erik ten Hag will be watching with bated breath, fearful of another injury to a member of his side.

He is already dealing with a defensive problem, with Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon, Tyrell Malacia, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all out due to injury.

Manchester United has lost four of their first eight Premier League games this season.

On Saturday, they travel to Sheffield United before hosting Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Then, on October 29, they play Manchester City.