Manchester United have performed better on the pitch over the past month or so, but fans will also be keeping a key eye on their loan stars and how they are doing away from Old Trafford.
Three home wins in a row have made Old Trafford a relative fortress for manager Ruben Amorim this season, with their only dropped points on home turf coming against title challengers Arsenal on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland has seen the Red Devils creep into the top half of the Premier League table heading into the international break, and Amorim will be looking to continue that form to have any chance of qualifying for European football.
However, away from the club, a few of their loan stars are blossoming, and Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Rasmus Hojlund’s potential permanent move to Napoli, a deal that Gli Azzurri boss Antonio Conte says Man United are already regretting.
Fabrizio Romano says Rasmus Hojlund’s Napoli move is ‘almost guaranteed’ after a strong start to Serie A life
Hojlund joined Napoli late in the summer transfer window after he was cast aside from first-team plans by Ruben Amorim following a poor campaign last time out.
The Danish striker only scored four Premier League goals as United slumped to their worst-ever Premier League finish in 15th, with goals being a major worry for the Portuguese boss last season.
However, Hojlund has made a solid start to life in Serie A with four goals in just six games, including two in the Champions League and a winner over Genoa on Sunday evening.
But he likely won’t return to Old Trafford next season, according to Romano, who claims that even if Napoli don’t trigger his option-to-buy clause, they will want to keep him on a permanent basis.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Ruben Amorim knows very well that Manchester United made clear decisions as a club, but also with the coach – Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, and Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli.
“For Hojlund, I keep telling you guys that Napoli’s intention is very clear. Apart from the option to buy included in the deal for €44million (£38.1million), and the €6million (£5.2million) loan fee…regardless of it being triggered officially or not, Napoli want to keep the player.
“Napoli trust Rasmus Hojlund, Napoli see Hojlund as part of their long-term project, and so it’s a loan-to-buy option that might become an obligation.
“But it’s seen by all parties involved in this deal as a future permanent transfer, almost guaranteed.
“Hojlund is doing very well; he scored a brace in the Champions League and scored on his debut. Napoli are very happy with Hojlund, Hojlund is very happy with Napoli and the idea is to sign the player on a permanent transfer.
“United can already consider the money they got from the loan fee and the €44million for his future. That’s really important news for Manchester United.”
With that in mind, United can now prepare for the future with an extra £43.3million to spend on incomings to bolster Amorim’s squad and fine-tune it to how he wants to play football, should he remain in the job.
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Manchester United won’t regret selling Rasmus Hojlund thanks to Benjamin Sesko
United signed another top young striker in Hojlund’s place in the form of Benjamin Sesko, and the Slovenian has finally got off the mark for the Red Devils following his summer move.
His first goal came in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford last weekend, which was a poor result but a confidence booster for the former RB Leipzig talisman.
However, his strike to double the lead against Sunderland at the weekend was timely, seeing him score at Old Trafford for the first time in front of the Stretford End, and that will boost his confidence going forward after earning praise from United legend Wayne Rooney.
There is a player in Rasmus Hojlund, but it clearly wasn’t working for him at Manchester United due to a lack of confidence and with Sesko being his replacement, it appears to be a deal that has worked well for all parties so far.
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