Manchester United should not be in a hurry to cash in on Rasmus Hojlund, no matter how tempting a fresh start might sound after a rocky 2024/25 season. Even with marquee strikers like Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins hovering in the rumour mill, the Red Devils would be wise to keep faith in their Danish frontman.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Turbulent Year: From Hero to Zero?
Let’s rewind a bit, for it has not been all doom and gloom.
Rasmus Hojlund burst onto the Premier League scene in the 2023/24 season, dazzling Old Trafford with his energy and bullish running. Fast-forward a year, and the headlines painted a different picture: Manchester United, stuck in mid-table, struggling for goals, and Hojlund at the heart of it all, only four Premier League goals, palpable frustration, and plenty of doubters. Over 52 games in all competitions, he managed just ten strikes, a drop-off that mirrored the entire team’s loss of spark.
But here’s the twist: after such a difficult sophomore campaign, Hojlund is not agitating for an exit. Instead, he has got his sleeves rolled up and is promising to stay and fight. As he put it this week, “My objective is clear: I want to stay and compete for my place, regardless of what happens…I’m more than prepared. I feel sharp and I welcome any challenges that arise. Competition is advantageous and it enhances the entire team.”
That is exactly the mentality Manchester United need as they rebuild in the Ruben Amorim era.
A Season to forget, but Not to erase?
Everyone at Manchester United felt the pain of their 15th-placed Premier League finish last season. Rasmus Hojlund won’t pretend otherwise. He is refreshingly honest and said, “I recognize that I could have performed better, and I think that is clear to everyone. However, I believe it is a collective effort, and we are set to improve now. We’ve demonstrated in our recent matches that we are progressing positively and are eager for what lies ahead.”
Facing growing whispers about a possible sale, especially after pre-season rumours of a potential £30 million sale, which would see Manchester United eat a big loss on their hefty investment. However, Hojlund’s response has been calm and mature. He understands that competition is part of the job, stating, “When I arrived, Anthony Martial was also part of the squad. He dealt with numerous injuries, which meant I had to take on more playing time. I have grown significantly and I’m ready for the challenges ahead.”
Strengths and Weaknesses: The Rasmus Hojlund Report
So why should Manchester United keep Rasmus Hojlund? For a start, the Danish striker is still just 22. Not every striker is a goal machine by that age. He offers physicality that few in the squad can match; the youngster is strong, quick, always looking to run the channels and stretch defensive lines. He excels at leading the press from the front, linking up play with defenders and midfielders, and creating space even when he’s not on the scoresheet.
But Hojlund’s weaknesses are real and excruciating. The Dane can be streaky in front of the goal, sometimes needing several chances to find the net. His first touch in tight spaces still betrays his youth, and when short of confidence, his runs can become more predictable. Yet, that can change with maturity and tactical coaching.
Can Hojlund Fit Ruben Amorim’s System?
New manager Ruben Amorim values a dynamic number nine who can both press the ball and link with creative midfielders. Rasmus Hojlund has not always thrived in build-up play, and he is more a player who displays brute strength and vertical movement than play within tight triangles and clever layoffs.
But glimpses from pre-season tell another story: he is dropping deeper, combining with Casemiro and Diogo Dalot, and showing better timing when breaking between defenders. Amorim himself has praised Hojlund’s progress, even if he has left the door open on transfer decisions.
Adapting to this system will require Hojlund to tidy up his technical skills and grow more comfortable playing with his back to goal. Yet, his willingness to learn, his improved hold-up play in the United States pre-season tour, and his emerging leadership were all on display when he scored twice and actively linked the attack against Bournemouth. These are not the signs of a lost cause but the signs of a work in progress, taking shape.
The Summer Saga: Sesko, Watkins, and Ever-Mounting Competition
This summer, Manchester United’s transfer spotlight has shone squarely on Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker. Manchester United have lined up Sesko as their top target, with negotiations swirling and Newcastle United also in the chase. Then there is Ollie Watkins, Premier League-proven and prolific at Aston Villa. However, Villa consider him not for sale, slapping a hefty price tag around £60 million.
Manchester United have even run the numbers on bringing in both a new striker and keeping Rasmus Hojlund, which would mean serious juggling to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules. If Sesko or Watkins comes in, does Hojlund simply become surplus? Not necessarily.
Competition breeds better performances, and Hojlund himself welcomes the challenge, saying, “Competition is beneficial for me; it sharpens my abilities…I believe competition is advantageous and it enhances the entire team.”
Manchester United are not playing in Europe next season, so a packed fixture list is not a concern, but quality depth at striker could be the difference between bouncing back or slipping further behind.
Pre-Season Promise—Signs of a Turnaround?
Rasmus Hojlund’s sharpness in Manchester United’s pre-season campaign is hard to ignore. During the 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago, he found the back of the net, showing renewed confidence and determination to fight for his place. In open play, he is moving smarter, dropping deep to play quick passes, and breaking beyond defenders with better timing. Even in games where he has not scored, his pressing and movement look more intense. That is not coincidence.
Hojlund has spent his summer trying to polish the weaknesses of last season, showing his commitment to evolving rather than escaping a challenge. As he put it, “I am beginning to evolve and enhance my fundamental skills. Now, it’s about refining my abilities further, and I have been performing well during pre-season. My focus is on maintaining that momentum.”
Rasmus Hojlund’s Potential: Can He Compete with Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins?
Comparing Rasmus Hojlund with possible rivals is not to dismiss his ability. Benjamin Sesko brings physicality, top speed, and a more natural striker’s instinct; he scored 13 Bundesliga goals for Leipzig last season. Meanwhile, Watkins is already a Premier League star. Yet, Hojlund’s raw potential, his pressing game, and his dedication resonate with the Manchester United fans who adore fighters and project players.
Given time and patience, the Dane can grow into the force the club hoped for when they broke the bank to bring him in. He is more than just numbers. He is the kind of player who can energise those around him, fight through tough spells, and become a leader as his confidence grows.
The Bottom Line: Patience Over Panic
Selling Rasmus Hojlund now would not only amount to a huge financial loss but risk the club giving up on a talent just as he is figuring things out. No, he is not the finished article, but that is the whole point. Manchester United’s greatest periods have always featured players who developed in the red shirt, not ones who were already at their peak when they arrived.
The easy answer would be to cut losses and start over. But the right answer is to hold steady, let Hojlund continue to grow, and watch as competition shapes him into the striker Manchester United believed he could be. With the right support and a manager who believes in youth and development, Manchester United could see Hojlund’s tough 2024/25 as just the passing pains on the way to something much bigger.
