Recent rumours linking Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund with a potential move to Leeds United have been quashed, as the Championship side are not pursuing the Danish striker despite their imminent return to the Premier League.
Hojlund, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2023 for a hefty £72 million fee from Atalanta, has struggled to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him. While his debut season saw him net a respectable 16 goals across all competitions, the current campaign has been particularly challenging, with the 22-year-old managing just two Premier League goals thus far.
The striker’s difficulties have fuelled speculation about his future at the club, especially as Manchester United, under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, are reportedly in the market for a new, more prolific goalscorer. This has cast doubts over the long-term prospects of both Hojlund and his teammate Joshua Zirkzee at Old Trafford.
Leeds United’s Striker Search
Despite reports suggesting that Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was keen on securing Hojlund’s services for the upcoming season, reliable sources have confirmed that the Yorkshire club is not considering a move for the Danish international. While Leeds are indeed in the market for striking reinforcements as they prepare for life back in the top flight, Hojlund is not on their radar.
A source close to the situation explained: “In Hojlund’s case, his wages of £85,000 per week are still far beyond what Leeds are prepared to pay, and his transfer fee would also be far too high since Manchester United would never entertain a sale so early into Hojlund’s tenure that would make a book loss.”
Hojlund’s Commitment to United
Despite his struggles, it’s worth noting that Hojlund remains committed to Manchester United and continues to feature regularly in the starting lineup. The source added: “More importantly, Hojlund still committed to Manchester United and starting games and there is no suggestion yet Manchester United are open to a sale.”
This commitment, coupled with the significant investment made by United just over 18 months ago, makes any potential departure highly unlikely at this stage.
United’s Striker Conundrum
The uncertainty surrounding Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford is further complicated by Manchester United’s ongoing search for a new striker. The club has been linked with a host of high-profile forwards, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Additionally, younger prospects such as Manchester City’s Liam Delap and Samu Aghehowa have also been mentioned as potential targets.
However, it remains unclear whether the acquisition of a new striker would necessarily lead to Hojlund’s departure. The club may opt to retain the Danish international as part of a revamped attacking lineup, providing competition and depth in the forward positions.
Amorim’s Influence and Hojlund’s Development
Since taking the reins at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has faced the challenge of integrating Hojlund into his tactical setup. The Portuguese manager’s approach and ability to nurture young talent could prove crucial in unlocking Hojlund’s potential and justifying the significant investment made in the player.
Amorim’s track record of developing young strikers during his time at Sporting CP suggests that he may yet be able to help Hojlund find his feet in the Premier League. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Danish striker can adapt to Amorim’s system and rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young forwards.
As Manchester United prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Everton at Goodison Park, all eyes will be on Hojlund to see if he can silence his critics and prove his worth to the Red Devils faithful. The match, kicking off at 12:30 GMT on Saturday, could provide the perfect platform for the young striker to showcase his abilities and remind everyone of the potential that prompted United to invest so heavily in his services.
