Man Utd's Rasmus Hojlund's warnings before splashing out as ace has sudden change of heart

Manchester United were warned about splashing the cash on under-fire forward Rasmus Hojlund before they parted with £72million for the striker in August 2023. After a promising debut season, Hojlund has struggled at Old Trafford.

The recentarrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, in a deal worth £74m, has now also increased the competition for the young Dane in United's forward areas. Hojlund, 22,appears to have had a change of heart on his future too, despite claiming he would stay and fight for his place at United earlier on in the summer, with AC Milan now linked with a swoop.

However, United could have avoided paying over the odds for a player that was oncetargeted by club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for underperforming. According to The Telegraph, United’s data financial modelling claimed that Hojlund, who was playing for Atalanta in Serie A at the time, was actually worth £50m.

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Regardless, United chiefs stormed ahead with the move, paying £22m more than was recommended for the striker. Hojlund has since seen his valuation drop rapidly. The Denmark international, who has scored 26 goals in 95 games for the club, is now valued at around £30m by United.

Not only did United's own data team warn about signing Hojlund, but his own manager at Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini, claimed the move to Old Trafford was coming too soon for Hojlund.

The current Roma boss helped Hojlund become a force to be reckoned with in Bergamo, with the youngster scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 34 games. But he harboured doubts on Hojlund continuing his development at United.

"I think so (Hojlund should stay one more season)," the 67-year-old said. "Then after that it’s difficult. He undoubtedly has great talent, but also great room for improvement. These things are visible in both senses, he must work to improve because he has the characteristics to become one of the strongest strikers in the world.”

Gasperini's concerns were echoed by two top scouts as former United boss Erik ten Hag circled a move for the player. One said: "He’s still unproven and the Premier League is a very unforgiving place especially if you’re in a Manchester United shirt.

"He’s left-footed, strong and powerful so inevitably there will be some comparisons with [Erling] Haaland but he’s not in his league. Haaland is a generational talent. Hojlund’s stats don’t come anywhere near Haaland and his finishing can be erratic."

Hojlund is only two years into a five-year deal at United but the club decided earlier this year to cash in if they recruited a new centre forward, something they have now done with Sesko. United had hoped to offload Hojlund on a permanent deal this summer, but Milan are seeking to bring him on loan to the San Siro.

Hojlund was an unused substitute in United's pre-season 1-1 draw with Fiorentina, which actually marked the first time he did not appear in any of United's five pre-season matches this summer.

Yet sources close to Hojlund felt he would have to leave United should they bolster their forward line with Sesko. Ruben Amorim has also refused to give assurances that the player would stay, suggesting Hojlund's time at Old Trafford now looks to be coming to an end.

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