We are in the final stages of the transfer window, and Manchester United have at least a handful of players they would like to sell before deadline day.
Rather than chasing additional signings, Ineos are focusing on getting rid of unwanted players from Ruben Amorim’s squad.
Five Manchester United players were told to stay away from the first team during pre-season. One of them was Marcus Rashford, who has since joined Barcelona on loan until the end of the season. The others include Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
Now, Rasmus Hojlund is expected to leave United following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Amorim has made his feelings abundantly clear by giving the Denmark international zero minutes in the past two games.
It is understood that Hojlund would like to remain at United, but that could change if he continues to get overlooked on the bench by the head coach.
Michael Laudrup shares advice with Rasmus Hojlund
In his first two years at Old Trafford, Hojlund was responsible for leading the attack, scoring a total of 26 goals across all competitions.
The Dane managed to score just 10 goals last season as United struggled to secure results on the pitch, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
However, Hojlund is wanted in Italy, where he previously proved himself as a classic number nine at Atalanta.
AC Milan had been Hojlund’s main option, but now, Napoli appears to be gaining momentum in the race to secure the striker’s signature.
Denmark legend Brian Laudrup has advised Hojlund to move on away from United on a permanent deal rather than a temporary exit.
Laudrup, who played for Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid, believes Amorim has picked midfielders ahead of Hojlund, which is something he feels should be the final straw.
“He has to go,” Laudrup said on Viaplay, as quoted by Tipsbladet.
“I don’t see that he has any future at the club at all. If you start playing with mostly midfielders as a 9 and you’re left out, that tells me that he won’t get any chances.
“He has played the aces he had up his sleeve, and there weren’t many of them last season, in a very, very difficult season, so he should go to a new place now, where he’s loved and gets to play.
“The only thing I don’t like is a loan agreement. I have to be honest. I’ve tried it myself, and it’s not fun, because you always fall down the pecking order when you’re rented, even if there’s someone who’s been bought for many millions.
“But it may be that the best he can get is a loan agreement, because there aren’t many clubs in Italy that can afford to buy him, that’s the challenge.”
Napoli willing to include special clause in Hojlund deal
Hojlund, 22, still has a lot of development to do before he can be recognised as a complete striker.
After previously proving himself as a talent to watch at Atalanta, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Italian teams are interested in Hojlund.
Serie A champions Napoli are looking for a new striker following an injury to their frontman Romelu Lukaku.
Now, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Napoli are now willing to commit to an obligation clause.
That means United will be able to guarantee a transfer fee after a summer of heavy spending on the attacking department.
United have spent over £210 million on Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon without selling any players on permanent deals.
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