Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has fired a warning shot to Rasmus Hojlund by leaving him out of today’s high-profile clash with Arsenal.
Mason Mount has been handed the responsibility of leading the line, with Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko waiting in the wings on the bench.
? Here it is…
Our first #PL starting line-up of 2025/26! ??
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 17, 2025
Amorim has already shown his ruthless streak in pre-season, exiling five senior players from his plans.
Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia have all been dumped into what has been dubbed the “bomb squad.”
It now seems that Hojlund has been quietly added to that infamous list.
The Denmark international is not in United’s plans after an abysmal 2024-25 season.
Despite playing in over 30 league games, Hojlund managed to score only four goals.
His struggles were glaring, offering little threat or spark in United’s attack.
This was a far cry from the hype that surrounded his £72 million move from Atalanta in 2023.
There is no doubt that Hojlund could still turn around his career and become a lethal centre-forward.
However, it will be highly beneficial for him to find his feet again away from Old Trafford.
Life at United brings relentless media scrutiny and suffocating pressure to perform every single week.
For a young striker like Hojlund who is still learning his trade, finding space in a calmer environment might be the reset he needs.
AC Milan are interested in signing the Dane on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
United are prepared to cut ties, but Hojlund himself has yet to give the move his approval.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com