Man Utd striker says he won't leave 'until I've made my mark' after poor season

Rasmus Hojlund says he is determined to stay and prove himself at Manchester United after a difficult season.

The 22-year-old Danish striker, who broke a 22-game Premier League goal drought with a clinical finish in United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday, addressed the rumours head-on, reaffirming his commitment to the club that signed him for £72 million from Atalanta in 2023.

Hojlund’s goal against Leicester—his first in the league since Boxing Day—came via a well-taken effort after controlling a lofted pass from Bruno Fernandes and slotting it past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen with his weaker right foot.

The strike, followed by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes, marked a triumphant night for United under manager Ruben Amorim, extending their unbeaten run to seven games across all competitions.

Yet, despite this personal breakthrough, Hojlund’s modest tally of two Premier League goals this season has fueled speculation about his future, with reports suggesting he might seek a move elsewhere.

Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet after the match, Hojlund made it clear he has no intention of leaving. “I came here to score goals—that’s my job, and I’m not going anywhere until I’ve made my mark,” he said.

“The talk about me wanting out is nonsense. I’m fully invested in this team and this club.” His comments directly counter earlier claims from Italian media outlet Sport Mediaset, which reported that Hojlund had held “exploratory talks” about a possible exit, with Serie A side Napoli linked as a potential destination in a swap deal involving their star striker Victor Osimhen.

The Napoli rumor, which gained traction earlier in March, suggested United might be open to offloading Hojlund to secure Osimhen, whose £75 million release clause becomes active this summer. However, sources close to the club have dismissed the idea of Hojlund pushing for a transfer, labeling the speculation as “unfounded.”

Hojlund’s camp has echoed this, with an insider telling GiveMeSport that the player remains “100% focused” on succeeding at United and sees his recent goal as a springboard to reclaim his form from last season, when he scored seven goals in six games after a slow start.

Amorim, too, appears to back Hojlund’s resolve. The Portuguese manager, who has navigated United to 11th in the Premier League table despite a rocky start, praised the striker’s mentality post-Leicester. “Rasmus has the hunger to improve—he’s shown that tonight,” Amorim said.

“One goal can change everything for a forward, and I believe he’s ready to build on this.” Yet, the manager’s openness to strengthening the attack—evidenced by United’s interest in players like Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, and Liam Delap—casts a shadow over Hojlund’s long-term role, especially as competition from Joshua Zirkzee and emerging talent Chido Obi intensifies.

Hojlund’s determination to stay comes amid a broader narrative of scrutiny at United. Signed as a raw talent at 20, his £72 million price tag has invited relentless pressure, with critics pointing to his seven goals across all competitions this season as underwhelming for a club of United’s stature.

Former United captain Wayne Rooney recently suggested that only two current players—Hojlund not explicitly named among them—should survive Amorim’s planned squad overhaul, a damning assessment of the team’s struggles.

Danny Murphy, writing for the Daily Mail, went further, arguing Hojlund “isn’t good enough” to lead United’s line in a trophy-chasing side, though he acknowledged the lack of service as a mitigating factor.

This critique raises questions about United’s transfer strategy under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Amorim. The club’s £85 million investment in Hojlund (including add-ons) reflects a long-term bet on potential, yet the failure to pair him with a proven goalscorer or bolster midfield creativity has left him isolated, averaging fewer “big chances” per game than peers like Erling Haaland or Ollie Watkins.

The rumoured interest in Osimhen or Gyokeres suggests United may seek an upgrade, but Hojlund’s insistence on staying challenges the narrative of him as a disposable asset, positioning him as a player willing to fight for his place.

For now, Hojlund’s focus is on capitalizing on his Leicester breakthrough as United enter the international break. His emotional exchange with United legend Peter Schmeichel pitchside—where the Dane offered support after the match—underscored the weight of the moment, a sentiment Hojlund echoed in his Tipsbladet interview.

“It’s about proving myself every day,” he said. “I’m here to stay and make a difference.” Whether that resolve convinces Amorim and Ratcliffe to stick with him, or whether transfer talk resurfaces in the summer, remains to be seen—but Hojlund is clearly not ready to let the speculation define his United story.