Rasmus Hojlund’s future dominated the agenda in the buildup to, and the fallout of, Manchester United’s last pre-season game against Fiorentina.
Ruben Amorim didn’t give Rasmus Hojlund any minutes, continuing the trend of the striker’s minutes decreasing with each game.
Amorim’s analysis of the game was even more damning for Hojlund, and the signs point to the player having played his last game for the club.
Hojlund wants to stay, and the club want him out, but it doesn’t have to be a demotion for the player; he only needs to look at his teammate who walked the same path before him and is a leader now.
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United warms up during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton FC
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund needs to look up to Diogo Dalot
Hojlund joined United as a teenager and suffered from injury problems right away, making it even more difficult for him to get off the mark confidently.
After struggling to make a mark at Old Trafford, he is on the transfer list, with the club listening to loan and transfer offers for him.
AC Milan are interested in signing him on an initial loan deal, with a buy option which, if it’s truly worth £40m, is unlikely to be triggered.
🚨 AC Milan have started discussing via intermediaries numbers of Rasmus Højlund deal.
Understand these are details: €6m loan fee, €45m buy option clause, salary covered.
⚠️ No green light to exit from the player yet, as Højlund insists on staying even after 0 minutes today. pic.twitter.com/k1XR7t0t9a
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2025
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The whole situation is remarkably similar to the one Diogo Dalot found himself in when he was struggling to make a mark at United.
He arrived as a highly-rated teenager, struggled to break through over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before a loan at AC Milan changed his career for the better.
Dalot turned from a prospect to a player in Italy and returned to United ready to oust Wan-Bissaka from the right-back spot.
Nearly five years on from that loan, Dalot is a leader at Man Utd, emerging as a part of Ruben Amorim’s leadership group and always willing to be the face of the club, in victory or defeat.
Hojlund can take a leap in Italy
“Playing in Serie A was very nice, my football knowledge increased, and also that of the game. In Italy coaches are more important than players, they have a strong impact on matches,” said Dalot in 2024.
Hojlund is at an even lower ebb than Dalot was when he joined Milan, since it seems like the club have completely given up on him.
However, that should only serve to motivate him further, because a loan deal means his dream of making it at United isn’t over as yet.
He can develop away from the scrutiny of Old Trafford in a league that has revived the careers of many criticised United stars, with McTominay becoming a Ballon d’Or contender recently.
That is the most extreme example, but the likes of Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Ashley Young, among others, found a second wind in Italy after struggling at United.
Hojlund is the same age as Sesko, and the physical tools don’t go away overnight. It’s as much a confidence issue as it is a talent problem.
If he regains it in Italy, United might end up being grateful if Milan don’t exercise the buy option. Dalot made the most of his Milan loan, and Hojlund shouldn’t see it as a demotion. It’s an opportunity.