Manchester United’s 2024-25 season was, by all accounts, “dreadful,” prompting a significant overhaul under head coach Ruben Amorim. With new attacking options already secured (Matheus Cunha) and high-profile targets like Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo in their sights, an unexpected question has emerged: Could striker Rasmus Hojlund, despite his relative youth, be on his way out of Old Trafford? Devastating rumors confirm that “European giants have made informal inquiries” about the Danish international, suggesting United might be tempted to sell him for the right price, even if he’s not “officially up for sale.” This potential move could reshape both United’s attack and Hojlund’s promising career.
Hojlund’s Value Amidst Struggles and Inter Milan’s Audacious Play
Rasmus Hojlund’s return to Serie A speculation is a curious twist. His impressive performances for Atalanta in 2022-23 were what “caught Man Utd’s eye in the first place,” leading to his move to the Premier League. However, his output at Old Trafford has been “under-par,” with only “14 goals in 62 games.” Despite this, his stock in Italy, particularly with Champions League finalists Inter Milan and Juventus, remains surprisingly high.
Why Hojlund is Still Attractive: The key lies in his potential and the context of his struggles. At “still only 22,” Hojlund possesses immense upside. Italian clubs seem to have “not been discouraged by Hojlund’s struggles in the Premier League,” recognizing “the challenges he has faced at United, not least the burden placed on one so young to lead the line with little experienced support to learn off or lean on.” This perspective suggests that Inter and Juventus believe his underwhelming form is a product of United’s systemic issues and his youth, rather than a fundamental flaw in his talent.
Inter Milan’s Proactive Pursuit: The Telegraph’s James Ducker reports that “Internazionale… have made informal inquiries about signing the £40 million-rated Manchester United striker.” Inter, facing turmoil off the pitch (losing the Serie A title on the last day, a 5-0 thrashing by PSG) and a managerial change (Simone Inzaghi poached by Al Hilal, Cristian Chivu set to take over), desperately needs a fresh injection of talent into an “ageing suite of strikers” that includes Marko Arnautovic (36) and Mehdi Teremi (32), alongside Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram (both 27). Hojlund “feature[s] prominently in their list of attacking targets,” suggesting they see him as a long-term solution.
The Proposed Deal Structure: Inter reportedly “would favour a loan move initially with an option or obligation to buy.” This allows them to mitigate risk and assess Hojlund’s fit before committing fully. However, “United may insist on a sale with certain parameters as they look to raise cash to reinvest in Ruben Amorim’s squad.” This highlights United’s need for immediate funds to fuel their ambitious transfer plans for Gyokeres and Mbeumo.
Manchester United’s Strategic Imperative:
For Manchester United, selling Hojlund, despite being a recent acquisition, could be a “prudent” move if the “right fee” presents itself. They have already invested in Matheus Cunha and are “keen on both Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo.” “Selling underperforming players at their highest possible price would be prudent” when they are trying to “reinvest in Ruben Amorim’s squad.” This suggests a ruthless efficiency under the new regime, prioritizing fit and performance over sunk costs. With “money being heavily invested in attacking options,” a “sale or two wouldn’t do United any harm at all.”
The scenario is complex: United isn’t “actively seeking to offload Hojlund,” but “both the club and player are understood to be aware of Inter’s interest.” This mutual awareness, combined with United’s aggressive pursuit of other strikers and Hojlund’s “under-par output,” creates a clear path for a potential transfer.
A Tactical Dilemma for the Red Devils
The informal inquiries from European giants, particularly Inter Milan, about Rasmus Hojlund present Manchester United with a tactical dilemma. While Hojlund’s potential remains undeniable and his struggles at Old Trafford can be attributed to broader team issues, United’s aggressive transfer strategy for other attacking options, coupled with their need for funds, makes a sale a distinct possibility. Inter’s willingness to pursue him, even with a lower output, underscores the belief in his underlying talent. This potential move could be a shrewd piece of business for United, allowing them to fund more immediate solutions for Ruben Amorim’s squad, or a missed opportunity to develop a promising young striker. All eyes will be on Old Trafford as the summer transfer window unfolds, watching to see if Hojlund will indeed be the next big name to depart.