The future of Danish striker Rasmus Højlund at Manchester United has been thrown into its most serious doubt yet, with reports confirming he is set to be completely left out of the matchday squad for Sunday’s massive Premier League opener against Arsenal.
This decision is the clearest signal to date that the 22-year-old is not in manager Ruben Amorim’s immediate plans for the new season. It comes just days after the club officially completed the blockbuster signing of fellow striker Benjamin Šeško, who has arrived as a direct competitor for the number nine position.
Despite Højlund’s very public and defiant stance that he intended to “stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens,” the manager’s actions tell a different story. When asked directly about the striker’s future in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Amorim was tellingly non-committal, stating, “He’s one more option, we will see.”
Højlund’s situation is further complicated by the return to fitness of another forward, Joshua Zirkzee, who Amorim confirmed is now ready to feature, pushing the Danish international even further down the pecking order.
Manchester United are known to be open to selling Højlund this summer, although they will have to accept a significant financial loss on the player. The club is reportedly willing to entertain offers in the region of £40 million.
Ultimately, despite his admirable fighting talk and commitment, Rasmus Højlund is now facing a harsh reality. Being completely excluded from the squad for the biggest game of the season so far is a clear and public message that his time at Old Trafford is likely coming to an end.