It's a family affair for Rasmus at Old Trafford tonight as Copenhagen call

A BIT of competitiveness is usually a given when siblings are involved, but when three boys arrive within the space of 23 months, you can expect the rivalry to be a little more intense.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

So it proved with the children of Anders Hojlund and Kirsten Winther.

First-born Rasmus, arriving in February 2003, and twins Oscar and Emil, born in January 2005, were so determined to outdo each other that there were occasions when they would take up far more of their father's time than necessary. A former footballer in the Danish leagues, Anders instilled the love of the sport in his own boys and was determined to help them be as good as they could be. He would leave the house with all three in tow, a bag of cones and balls in hand, ready to conduct a session with them.

But so competitive would it become that he would often have to split it up. What should have been a one-hour training drill for his three children became an hour for Rasmus, an hour for Oscar and an hour for Emil.

That extra time is all starting to look like a very shrewd investment, however. Those memories of sessions in the cold in their hometown of Horsholm, just north of Copenhagen, might come flooding back at Old Trafford tonight.

The group stage fixture will feel like a family affair for the Hojlunds. Rasmus, 20, will almost certainly start for United and 18-year-old Oscar will likely be on the bench at the very least for the visitors. Emil is more likely to in the play UEFA Youth IF sor League game at Leigh Sports Village earlier in the day, but he has made his debut for the senior side this season and was twice on the bench in Champions League qualifying.