Manchester United’s Current Stance on Rasmus Hojlund Transfer Revealed
Rasmus Hojlund's future remains uncertain / Sports Press Photo/GettyImages

Manchester United’s Current Stance on Rasmus Hojlund Transfer Revealed

A Complex Situation Surrounding Manchester United’s Misfiring No.9

Rasmus Hojlund arrived at Old Trafford amid considerable fanfare. Manchester United, still searching for a long-term answer at centre-forward, splashed out a reported £72 million last summer to bring the young Danish striker in from Atalanta. The hope was that the 21-year-old could develop into the club’s next great goalscorer. Less than a year later, however, questions are already swirling about his future.

As it stands, Manchester United have not reached a definitive verdict on Rasmus Hojlund’s role beyond this season. According to a new report from David Ornstein of The Athletic, the club is weighing multiple scenarios and have made no “firm decision” on whether to keep or sell the underperforming striker. It’s a delicate balancing act for the United hierarchy, with both sporting logic and financial ramifications to consider.

A Season to Forget for Rasmus Hojlund

Hojlund’s debut campaign in the Premier League has been, to put it kindly, underwhelming. While he managed a respectable 16 goals across all competitions in his first season, his sophomore slump has been significant. With the current campaign nearing its conclusion, he has managed just eight goals in total, with only three coming in the Premier League.

Worse still, Rasmus Hojlund hasn’t had many chances to miss. His average of 1.3 shots per 90 minutes places him below even defensive-minded players like Casemiro, and tells a larger story about United’s attacking struggles under Erik ten Hag. The system often leaves Rasmus Hojlund isolated, and his limited touches in the final third highlight a lack of service more than a lack of sharpness.

Still, numbers don’t lie, and the scrutiny has only intensified. There are now murmurs that United could look to bolster their attacking ranks in the summer, regardless of Rasmus Hojlund’s presence.

Rasmus Hojlund has taken fewer Premier League shots this season than relegation-bound Leicester City full-back James Justin / George Wood/GettyImages

Rasmus Hojlund has taken fewer Premier League shots this season than relegation-bound Leicester City full-back James Justin / George Wood/GettyImages

No Firm Decision, But Plenty of Doubts

Despite the poor form, it appears that selling Rasmus Hojlund is not currently the plan. Ornstein noted that while the club are considering several possible outcomes, they are not seriously pursuing his sale. The key obstacle? Value.

Having spent £72 million just a year ago, United would almost certainly suffer a major financial loss if they tried to sell the Dane now. Given his current output, it’s hard to imagine any suitor meeting even half that valuation.

This puts the club in a bind. While it’s evident that United need more firepower up front, moving on from Rasmus Hojlund prematurely would be a bitter pill to swallow—both from a sporting and financial standpoint.

Interestingly, Rasmus Hojlund was among the names reportedly mentioned by new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during internal discussions about the squad. Ratcliffe allegedly described some United players as “not good enough” and “overpaid,” with Rasmus Hojlund’s name appearing among the five he singled out.

United Definitely Eyeing Another Striker

While Rasmus Hojlund may stay, it’s clear United are pushing ahead with plans to bring in a new striker. The summer transfer window is expected to be busy at Old Trafford, particularly up top. The club’s recruitment team has already compiled a shortlist of potential forwards.

From Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, United have been linked with a wide array of targets. Mateta would be a more budget-friendly option, while Gyokeres, who has been lighting up the Primeira Liga, would require a significant outlay.

But with United potentially missing out on Champions League revenue—unless they win the Europa League—big-money deals may be out of reach. Financial Fair Play regulations will tighten further if the club fail to secure top-tier European football.

This has led United to consider more affordable prospects like Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. The 22-year-old forward, son of former Stoke City long-throw specialist Rory Delap, has scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season—more than Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joshua Zirkzee combined.

Available for a fee believed to be around £30 million, especially if Ipswich are relegated, Delap could be a shrewd acquisition for a club trying to rebuild smartly.

What Happens Next?

The next few months will be crucial in shaping Rasmus Hojlund’s future. Much will depend on how he finishes the season, whether United can clinch European football, and what kind of budget Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS can allocate for summer business.

Even if United do bring in another striker, that doesn’t necessarily spell the end for Rasmus Hojlund. He’s still just 21 years old and remains highly rated by several figures within the club. A two-striker setup, or a more rotational approach, could yet see Hojlund thrive without the pressure of being the lone figurehead in attack.

But make no mistake—Manchester United need more from their front line. Whether that improvement comes from Rasmus Hojlund or someone new, the message from the boardroom is clear: change is coming.

Final Thoughts

The Rasmus Hojlund saga is emblematic of Manchester United’s broader issues in recent years: big investments, high expectations, and underwhelming returns. While the club isn’t ready to cut ties just yet, the writing is on the wall. Rasmus Hojlund will need to prove his worth—and fast.

United are in desperate need of a reliable goalscorer, and their pursuit of one this summer suggests time may already be ticking for the Danish striker to make his mark.

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