Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim removes another unserious Man United’s player from the club’s squad indefinitely.
Manchester United saw victory slip from their grasp late on against Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, as the match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Joshua Zirkzee’s well-taken goal in the 88th minute looked set to hand United a valuable advantage heading back to Old Trafford, but a late lapse ensured the French side drew level.
The spotlight inevitably fell on Andre Onana, whose shaky performance cost his team dearly. Before the game, Lyon’s Nemanja Matic labelled him the worst goalkeeper United have had in recent times — a claim the Cameroonian unfortunately lived up to on the night, being culpable for both goals conceded. While much attention was drawn to Onana’s errors, it also masked another difficult outing for Rasmus Hojlund.
The Danish forward, once tipped to be United’s next attacking star, endured another frustrating evening. In his 60 minutes on the pitch, he managed just two completed passes and rarely threatened the Lyon defence. His struggles have been a recurring theme since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, with the young striker managing only two Premier League goals under the Portuguese coach’s tenure. Unsurprisingly, Amorim has reportedly lost patience and is eager to see him moved on this summer.
There’s already interest building from Serie A, with Napoli said to be open to a swap deal involving Victor Osimhen — a move that would bring much-needed firepower to United’s frontline. Juventus, too, are keeping tabs on Hojlund, though they would prefer a loan move. That option seems unlikely, as INEOS is determined to raise immediate funds to strengthen other areas of the squad.
Despite his struggles, Hojlund’s profile still makes him a tempting prospect for several clubs. At just 22, he already has Serie A experience from his time with Atalanta, commands relatively modest wages for a centre-forward, and still carries the kind of potential that ambitious sides like Juventus and Napoli believe they could unlock. However, United’s €60 million price tag appears optimistic given his poor form and waning confidence.
While no formal negotiations have taken place yet, the expectation is that Hojlund could be one of the notable departures from Old Trafford this summer. Amorim is desperate for a reliable goalscorer heading into next season, and unless a dramatic turnaround occurs, it seems increasingly likely that Hojlund’s time in Manchester may be cut short barely a year after his big-money move. Whether through a direct sale or a player-plus-cash deal for someone like Osimhen, United’s frontline is set for a reshuffle — and Hojlund may well be the first casualty.
