Rasmus Hojlund joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 with huge pressure placed on his shoulders. Most fans will remember his debut, while not on the scoresheet, he looked a real handful for Arsenal's defenders, something Casemiro noticed.
Whatever happened behind closed doors to cause Hojlund's nosedive may one day come to light. But the Dane has failed to be the reliable goalscorer the club required when spending £72m on him.
Hojlund's Old Trafford future is now in jeopardy and it looks as though Ruben Amorim has decided his fate. The Portuguese coach stuck by the 22-year-old last season but a mere four goals in the Premier League was just not acceptable for a giant of United's size.
Rasmus Hojlund not even third choice at Man United
Hojlund insisted he wanted to "stay and fight" for his place at United when links to Benjamin Sesko intensified earlier this month. Those comments came just days before the Slovenian was signed from RB Leipzig in a £74m deal.
The 21-year-old's arrival cast major doubts over Hojlund's future in Amorim's team. It seemed as though he was sent a message when he started on the bench in the final pre-season game of the club's summer series in the USA.
Hojlund then sat out the entirety of a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina in the final friendly before the season kicks off, with English midfielder Mason Mount used as a makeshift false nine. Sesko waved to the Stretford End before that game, and it was clear that he'd arrived to take the number one berth in Amorim's team.
Ben Jacobs has delved into Hojlund's situation and suggested that it's not only Sesko who the Denmark international is now behind in the pecking order. He told The United Stand:
“Rasmus Hojlund is not just behind Sesko and (Joshua) Zirkzee, he might in views of Ruben Amorim, be actually behind other players as well”.
That's a damning indication of just how Hojlund doesn't feature in Amorim's plans for the upcoming season. He has shown a desire to stay and try and be a success at his favourite club but his two seasons have seemingly been enough for his coach and the decision markers to cut ties.
A move to AC Milan is just what Hojlund needs
Hojlund has perhaps realised that he has no chance of being United's starting striker this season. Joshua Zirkzee offers the more versatile profile, able to operate as a number 10 as well as lead the line.
The former Atalanta man was linked with Leipzig during the Sesko saga but he stood firm on remaining at Old Trafford. But the situation has changed and now a move to AC Milan is a possibility for him to get his career back on track.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Transfer News Live) reports that Hojlund is "now more open" to leaving United. Milan want to do a loan deal worth £5m with an option to buy for £40m.
This could breathe new life into Hojlund who had caught the eye during his time in Serie A. He has the chance to join one of Europe's most historic clubs who have a long list of legendary target man for him to try and replicate.