Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is effectively on trial for the remainder of the season with Ruben Amorim apparently unconvinced.
Hojlund initially impressed under Amorim, scoring five goals in his first five matches. However, his form has nosedived, failing to find the net in his last 11 appearances and going more than a month without a goal.
Having cost United over £70m when he arrived from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, expectations were much higher for the 21-year-old.
After finishing his debut campaign with a respectable 16 goals in all competitions, Hojlund has struggled to build on that momentum.
He has contributed just two Premier League goals this season for a United side languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Concerns Over Hojlund’s Performances
Hojlund’s struggles were evident in United’s 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday, where he gave the ball away ten times in the first half before being substituted early in the second.
Club legend Rio Ferdinand was among those to criticize his performance, calling for the forward to offer more in order to justify his place in the team.
According to talkSPORT, Amorim has been “far from convinced” by Hojlund’s displays and will monitor his performances closely before making a decision on his future in the summer.
Once considered "unsellable" by United, the club is now reportedly open to parting ways with the Danish striker should his struggles persist.
If Hojlund is offloaded, a return to Serie A appears the most likely outcome, with league leaders Napoli and Italian giants Juventus both expressing interest in securing his signature.
Amorim’s Verdict on Hojlund
Following the win over Fulham, Amorim acknowledged Hojlund’s work ethic but pointed to a lack of chemistry between the forward and his teammates.
“He wants it really badly, and you can see sometimes that without proper training, there is a disconnection,” Amorim explained.
“We can explain things, but without practicing them, it doesn’t always click. Sometimes he’s too close when he should be making a run, sometimes he runs when he should be staying close.”
Amorim emphasized that the young striker must learn to handle setbacks: “As a footballer, especially as a young player, he has to understand that sometimes you have a bad game, but you have to keep going.
"The most important thing is that I see every day how much he wants it. He even asks to stay behind after training to improve, and that’s the best way to grow.”
United’s January Overhaul Continues
Hojlund’s uncertain future comes amid a major squad reshuffle at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have already loaned out fellow high-profile signing Antony to Real Betis for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Amorim has sanctioned moves for Marcus Rashford and Casemiro, with Rashford edging closer to a loan move to Barcelona and Casemiro in talks with Roma.
United are also closing in on the signing of Danish left-back Patrick Dorgu as they continue to reshape their squad under Amorim’s leadership.
With Hojlund under increasing pressure to rediscover his form, the next few months could determine whether he remains part of United’s long-term plans or follows other big-money signings out of the club.
