Rasmus Hojlund is ready to approve a move away from Manchester United after being left out of the squad for the Premier League opener against Arsenal.
Widespread reports claim Hojlund has been left out of Manchester United’s squad for the visit of Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
United signed Benjamin Sesko in a £74m deal from RB Leipzig last week and the Slovenia striker is expected to lead the line against Arsenal.
Hojlund said earlier in the summer that he planned to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place in the team.
‘I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens,’ he said during United’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
‘Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me. I’m more than ready. I’m feeling sharp so I’m welcoming everything that comes.’
Even after Sesko’s arrival, Hojlund was said to be determined to stay put and believed he could still make an impact for the Red Devils.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Hojlund would change his mind and approve a summer move if he was benched against Arsenal or worse, left out altogether.
AC Milan have been in talks to sign the Denmark international, while RB Leipzig are believed to be interested in a deal.
Reports in Italy claim Hojlund prefers a permanent transfer rather than a loan as he does not want the summer of 2026 to be surrounded by the same level of speculation as this one.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
United have been discussing a loan deal with Milan with a £35m buy-out option but Hojlund is said to want a lower fee to boost his chances of a permanent move.
The writing was on the wall for Hojlund’s Old Trafford career after he was an unused substitute in their final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina.
With Hojlund left on the bench, Amorim opted to play England midfielder Mason Mount up top. Sesko was unveiled at Old Trafford before the game.
Asked whether Hojlund would be involved in Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal, Amorim said at his pre-match press conference: ‘We will see.
‘He’s one more option. We are focused on this game and Rasmus is still our player.’
Amorim also confirmed Joshua Zirzkee, who suffered a hamstring injury at the end of last season, was ready to return against the Gunners.
Manchester United were believed to be open to offers for Zirzkee earlier in the summer but the Netherlands international is now set to stay.
With Sesko likely leading the line, fellow summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are also expected to make their United debuts against Arsenal.
If Hojlund has already played his last game for Manchester United, he will leave having scored 26 goals in 95 games for the club.
United paid £72m to sign Hojlund from Atalanta in 2023 but he has failed to live up to expectations at the Theatre of Dreams.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.