Manchester United fielded a new-look attacking line during the 1-0 loss against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo dazzled for the Red Devils, immediately proving their worth to Ruben Amorim despite the disappointing result.
Riccardo Calafiori’s headed goal in the 13th minute stood as the only goal of the game, although the hosts threatened to score a late equaliser, forcing David Raya to make seven saves on the night.
As widely reported, the Red Devils struggled offensively last season, scoring only 44 goals across the entire campaign, resulting in the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish.
Altay Bayindir of Manchester United fails to save a header which leads to the first goal for Arsenal scored by Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Therefore, Manchester United have spent over £190 million to bolster the forward line this summer, but former English top-flight manager Alan Pardew cannot help but feel sympathy towards one player being forced out of the door at Old Trafford.
Alan Pardew is sympathetic towards Rasmus Hojlund
When speaking live on talkSPORT, Pardew expressed his concern regarding Rasmus Hojlund, who he believes single-handedly carried the goalscoring burden in Manchester last season.
“So, I think I’ll be very surprised [If Baleba happens] unless they get a big signing out. Maybe, if Hojlund were to move on, that would create enough room. I mean, where was he today? He wasn’t even in the squad.
“I feel so sorry for that young boy – he had to wear the number nine shirt almost entirely on his own last year, carrying the team. And even though he was trying to grow into it, now all of a sudden it’s like, ‘you’ve got to go.’”
The 22-year-old had insisted on remaining in Manchester, but with game time expected to be scarce for the forward, he now understands that a departure in the final weeks of the transfer window is in his best interests.
TBR Football understands Hojlund has accepted he will leave United this summer, as he appeared to take a significant step back in his development last year.
Although £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko was named on the bench against Arsenal, Hojlund was excluded despite Mason Mount being granted a second chance at Old Trafford.
How does Rasmus Hojlund compare to his Manchester United teammates?
Pardew may have claimed Hojlund carried Manchester United last season, but the statistics tell a different story.
The Danish international recorded an abysmal return of three Premier League goals in 32 outings, a significant downgrade from the 10 goals he scored in his debut campaign.
Rank (2024/25 Season) Player Appearances (league competitions) Goals Assists Total G/A
1 Bryan Mbeumo 38 20 7 27
2 Matheus Cunha 33 15 6 21
3 Benjamin Sesko 33 13 5 18
4 Rasmus Hojlund 32 4 0 4
5 Joshua Zirkzee 32 3 1 4
Statistics provided by FBref.
All three of this summer’s additions have produced vastly superior numbers for their respective clubs with a combined goal and assist tally of 66, which is 22 more goals than the entire squad managed in 2024/25.