Rasmus Hojlund left Manchester United in the summer on a season-long loan to Napoli, with an obligation to buy inserted in the deal.
Rasmus Hojlund started several games in pre-season for Rúben Amorim, but rather importantly, he was an unused substitute in the final pre-season match against David de Gea’s Fiorentina. The same day Benjamin Šeško was announced as a Manchester United player.
While Šeško didn’t start the season as United’s centre-forward, Hojlund was moved out of the club for Napoli on a season-long loan deal. The deal is believed to become permanent if Napoli qualify for the Champions League.
With just 10 games left to play in Serie A this season, Napoli sit third in the league, five points clear of fourth-placed Como and four points behind second-placed AC Milan.
Hojlund has made 35 appearances for the club this season, with 13 goals and three assists to his name, despite joining as a backup to former United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Could Hojlund return to United this summer?
Last season, Jadon Sancho was expected to join Chelsea after a season on loan with an obligation to buy, but Chelsea paid United a rumoured £5 million so Sancho would remain a United player. Could the same happen with Hojlund?
In a Q and A for the MEN, Tyrone Marshall said: “If Napoli qualify for the Champions League – and they now have a five-point gap to fifth – then the deal will be made permanent for around £38million.
“That is the ideal scenario for United.
“Napoli could potentially look to do what Chelsea did with Jadon Sancho and try and engineer a way out of the deal, but that is unlikely. He has 13 goals in 35 games this season, which is a solid return for someone still young and his game looks suited to Serie A.
“I can see the point about wanting to see him in this system. I think every striker was doomed to fail in Amorim’s system at Old Trafford. Hojlund and Benjamin Šeško struggled to play that role convincingly, and I don’t think it did Chido Obi any favours either, but the chances of Hojlund getting another chance are very slim.”
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Hojlund is not what United need
While in many ways, Hojlund is a very similar player to Šeško, he is not what United need anymore.
Michael Carrick’s centre-forward options are good enough without another young striker who won’t be able to play regular football, especially with promising attackers waiting in the wings.
Read More: Manchester United eye £30 million move for Premier League star after “dream” Old Trafford claims
If United are eyeing another centre-forward in the summer, they should look for an experienced forward who could mentor Šeško and the other young attackers at Old Trafford.
But priorities must be elsewhere. United need a Casemiro replacement, and could be after another defensive midfielder if Ugarte leaves, too. While it also seems left-back may be an area of interest.
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