Rasmus Hojlund seemed exhausted at the end of last season. The striker has only scored three goals in 34 games between December and May, and sometimes feels like he just wants the season to end soon.
Even the post-season trip to Asia is a nightmare for the Danish player. The 22-year-old striker could not score against ASEAN All Stars or Hong Kong (China). In that context, Hojlund had to witness 17-year-old star Chido Obi score to help Man United come back to win against Hong Kong (China).
Hojlund has had a 21-game stint, and his confidence has seemed to have eroded for much of the season. His mood will certainly get worse with the news that Man United are looking for another striker. The "Red Devils" are currently targeting names such as Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Moise Kean and Ollie Watkins.
Hojlund's last two summers at Man United have truly been a series of unforgettable days. A back injury prevented him from playing on the 2023 pre-season tour right after moving from Atalanta for a record fee. The 22-year-old continued to suffer a hamstring injury in the opening match of last year's tour of the US against Arsenal.
A promising pre-season without injury could be a good start for Hojlund to make up for M.U's £72 million transfer fee. On the contrary, if he cannot shine, Hojlund's departure from Old Trafford will happen sooner.
Hojlund clearly does not lack potential, but the problem lies in the fact that the "Red Devils" put too much burden on his shoulders. Hojlund used to play full-time in Serie A for Atalanta, but without a good support system at Old Trafford, Hojlund quickly got lost.
Meanwhile, it is unlikely that Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho will feature in any of Man United's pre-season games. They are still looking for a new club, along with other wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony. But the longer they wait without finding a new destination, the more distracted coach Ruben Amorim will be.
Amorim will have many commitments to the media throughout the tour. And the situation of players being left behind by Man United, especially Rashford and Garnacho when Amorim forced them to leave, will certainly be a hot topic.
However, more urgently, Amorim needs Man United to sell this quartet (including Tyrell Malacia) to increase the transfer budget, because his reconstruction is still not complete.
