Peter Schmeichel has urged Rasmus Højlund to reconsider his recent decision regarding the Manchester United transfer, despite Rúben Amorim’s omission.
Rasmus Højlund’s future at Manchester United is facing major uncertainty following the signing of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig.
Højlund has been unable to establish himself as a consistent goalscorer, recording 26 goals in 95 matches under Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Rúben Amorim.
While he has enjoyed spells of strong form, his tendency to drift into long droughts has led Amorim to pursue a forward of the same age with far more experience at the top level.
The Danish striker cost United £72 million in 2023, but having failed to justify that fee, the club are now preparing to move him on this summer.
What’s the latest on Højlund’s future?
With Šeško looking set to start as United’s first-choice striker this season, Højlund has been linked with a move back to the Serie A.
According to various reports, United and Italian giants AC Milan had agreed on a loose deal that centred on a one-year loan with a £5 million loan fee and wages covered, with the Serie A side then retaining the option to sign him next summer.
However, it has more recently emerged that Milan’s actual first-choice striker option is Dusan Vlahovic, leaving the Danish forward’s move back to Italy in jeopardy.
Højlund is said to be a little apprehensive about the Milan move because he wants his move this summer to be permanent if he does depart Old Trafford, although his current first-choice option is still to remain at United.
It has emerged that his former club, Atalanta, have also held talks with United surrounding a possible deal. However, the talks are still in their initial phase and have yet to make significant progress.
Schmeichel urges Højlund to accept loan deal
Although Højlund prefers to move away from Old Trafford permanently if he is to depart this summer, United legend and former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has urged his compatriot to change his mind and accept a loan move to rediscover himself and put him back in the running at United in 2026.
“If I were to advise Rasmus, and I was his agent, or his father or whoever he listens to, I would take a one-year loan deal to a place where you play against the same kind of defence, physical defenders, where the game is of the same nature, but it is an easier place to be, and then on a team that creates a lot of chances,” The 62-year-old said, via Tipsbladet.
“If he could go, score 20-25 goals, and he could come back next year and ask the manager, ‘Can you use me now or can’t you use me now?’
“We saw last year that he is a fighter, and he wants to fight for every little thing. He has never had anything given, and I think he wants to fight for his place before. But if the manager has decided there isn’t enough space and there are a lot of strikers, it’s a tough situation he’s in.”
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With United having spent over £200 million on a new front three this summer, next season’s funds will likely be sunk into securing a new goalkeeper and attempting again to bring Brighton’s Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford.
If Højlund were to prove himself away from United and return next summer, that would give Amorim either another potent striker back on his front line or raise Højlund’s stock for the club to cash in on in 2026.
Either way, Amorim would no doubt be happy to see Højlund thrive away from United if he were to secure a one-year loan.
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