Ruben Amorim pictured conducting a Manchester United training session
Ruben Amorim pictured conducting a Manchester United training session
Arriving at Carrington on Thursday morning, Rasmus Hojlund showed no signs of a Manchester United player feeling the pressure of expectation this summer.
Sporting a Michael Jordan graphic t-shirt, Hojlund will hope that he can embody the Chicago Bulls legend at this season. However, time is of the essence to prove that to his own Phil Jackson - Ruben Amorim.
Last season was one that is best forgotten from perspective. While his performances in the Europa League were manageable, it was the that proved to be his nemesis.
Hojlund has shown he can score in the English top flight, with his ten in 30 appearances during debut campaign being evidence of that. But with all those struggling around him, the 22-year-old wilted as United plummeted.
The rhetoric surrounding the club this summer has been the need to sign a centre-forward. Hojlund has been linked to the exit door to make that happen despite insisting that he expects to stay at this summer.
Whether he leaves or not, a new centre-forward is certainly needed. clearly plays better in the No.10 role and even if Amorim is going to persevere with him as a striker, at least one new centre-forward is needed to provide decent cover to the team.
On Friday, there are just 37 days remaining before the start of the Premier League season. Before then, will face four opponents and Fiorentina to prepare for that opening day against Arsenal.
During this timeline, Hojlund will need to prove to that he can be trusted to be the main striker. If he can do that, the Portuguese could save himself £60m or more in transfer fees.
Rasmus Hojlund returns for the start of Manchester United's pre-season
Strikers at the top of their games this summer have all been valued around this mark. Ollie Watkins, Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres could all improve United but will cost a king's ransom.
However, if Hojlund proves himself to be capable of being a main striker who can reliably score, a move for a free agent could be seen as viable for Amorim. Signing a player like Callum Wilson or Jamie Vardy could be ideal for United and provide the Dane with a valuable partner to learn from.
But these are all big ifs at the moment. Based on last season, Amorim will feel as though he needs to spend big to strengthen his attack.
Only Hojlund can change his mind.
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