Manchester United handed a huge blow as Rasmus Hojlund has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a muscle injury which is set to keep the striker sidelined for the derby against Manchester City.
The 21-year-old has been in stunning form recently, scoring seven goals in six English Premier League matches since Boxing Day to become the youngest player to do so in the English top flight.
According to a club statement released on Friday, February 23, "Rasmus Hojlund will miss Manchester United’s Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday due to a muscle injury".
The club added; "It is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks".
However, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag further explained the severity of the striker's injury during a press conference ahead of their game against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, February 24.
Ten Hag said; "It's a small injury, two to three weeks".
The Dutch tactician added; "That's what happened, that is the risk of playing at high intensity and training. It's not a big injury but he has to wait now for two or three weeks."
Apparently, the former Ajax head coach will be without his red-hot striker when they host Fulham at Old Trafford, travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday, February 28, and play title-challenging rivals Man City on Sunday, March 3.
Depending on how quickly he recovers, league games at home to Everton and Sheffield United could also come too soon for the former Atalanta frontman.
Marcus Rashford who has recently been playing from the flank could be asked to fill the void left by Hojlund, with United's other option Anthony Martial still nursing a groin injury.
The injury is an enormous setback for Hojlund after he finally ended a long Premier League goal drought to find his feet at Old Trafford in his debut season following last summer’s move from Atalanta.
It took the Denmark International until a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day to score his first league goal for Man United, but since then he hasn’t gone a Premier League game without scoring and has also dished out two assists.
Hojlund has bagged 13 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions this season. Man United will hope to welcome him back as soon as possible as they look to climb the top four in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the table with five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Their rivals Man City are second with a 12-point advantage as the second Manchester derby of the 2023/2024 season approaches.
The first leg ended in a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford in October 2023.
The news will be heartbreaking for the 21-year-old, who has been unstoppable for Man United as they have put together an unbeaten run since the start of 2024.
Which Man United games will Hojlund miss?
Fulham (home), Premier League - February 24.
Nottingham Forest (Away), FA Cup - February 28.
Manchester City (Away), Premier League - March 3.
Everton (Home), Premier League - March 9.
Sheffield United (Home), Premier League - March 16.
The 21-year-old has become the latest Man United player to suffer injury with the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, and Mason Mount still remaining on the sideline.
In addition, as new part-owners INEOS take over football operations at Old Trafford, one of their first jobs will surely have to be an inquest into what is happening in the fitness and medical departments.
What started as injuries from too many matches played last season now appears to be something more rooted as the injuries continue to come thick and fast.
Man United confirmed early this week that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his deal to become a minority owner.
The 71-year-old British billionaire has said he desires to bring back success to Old Trafford and Ten Hag has claimed those plans include keeping him on as manager beyond the summer.
Ten Hag said; "We speak a lot, there are many conversations with him, with Dave Brailsford, about this club, about this team, about the structures".
"We are very aligned. It totally fits with ambitions I have, ambitions I had when I came in. I'm 19 months in and I see we are going in the right direction".
He added; "We have had setbacks in the second season but you see the team coming, the squad developing, work hard on the training pitch, work hard during games".
What's next for Manchester United and Hojlund?
The 20-time Premier League champions will continue their pursuit of the top-four spot to secure European football next season, while Hojlund, on the other hand, will continue his rehabilitation until he is fully fit for match days.
The 21-year-old has been in stunning form recently, scoring seven goals in six English Premier League matches since Boxing Day to become the youngest player to do so in the English top flight.
According to a club statement released on Friday, February 23, "Rasmus Hojlund will miss Manchester United’s Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday due to a muscle injury".
The club added; "It is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks".
However, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag further explained the severity of the striker's injury during a press conference ahead of their game against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, February 24.
Ten Hag said; "It's a small injury, two to three weeks".
The Dutch tactician added; "That's what happened, that is the risk of playing at high intensity and training. It's not a big injury but he has to wait now for two or three weeks."
Apparently, the former Ajax head coach will be without his red-hot striker when they host Fulham at Old Trafford, travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday, February 28, and play title-challenging rivals Man City on Sunday, March 3.
Depending on how quickly he recovers, league games at home to Everton and Sheffield United could also come too soon for the former Atalanta frontman.
Marcus Rashford who has recently been playing from the flank could be asked to fill the void left by Hojlund, with United's other option Anthony Martial still nursing a groin injury.
The injury is an enormous setback for Hojlund after he finally ended a long Premier League goal drought to find his feet at Old Trafford in his debut season following last summer’s move from Atalanta.
It took the Denmark International until a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day to score his first league goal for Man United, but since then he hasn’t gone a Premier League game without scoring and has also dished out two assists.
Hojlund has bagged 13 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions this season. Man United will hope to welcome him back as soon as possible as they look to climb the top four in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the table with five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Their rivals Man City are second with a 12-point advantage as the second Manchester derby of the 2023/2024 season approaches.
The first leg ended in a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford in October 2023.
The news will be heartbreaking for the 21-year-old, who has been unstoppable for Man United as they have put together an unbeaten run since the start of 2024.
Which Man United games will Hojlund miss?
Fulham (home), Premier League - February 24.
Nottingham Forest (Away), FA Cup - February 28.
Manchester City (Away), Premier League - March 3.
Everton (Home), Premier League - March 9.
Sheffield United (Home), Premier League - March 16.
The 21-year-old has become the latest Man United player to suffer injury with the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, and Mason Mount still remaining on the sideline.
In addition, as new part-owners INEOS take over football operations at Old Trafford, one of their first jobs will surely have to be an inquest into what is happening in the fitness and medical departments.
What started as injuries from too many matches played last season now appears to be something more rooted as the injuries continue to come thick and fast.
Man United confirmed early this week that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his deal to become a minority owner.
The 71-year-old British billionaire has said he desires to bring back success to Old Trafford and Ten Hag has claimed those plans include keeping him on as manager beyond the summer.
Ten Hag said; "We speak a lot, there are many conversations with him, with Dave Brailsford, about this club, about this team, about the structures".
"We are very aligned. It totally fits with ambitions I have, ambitions I had when I came in. I'm 19 months in and I see we are going in the right direction".
He added; "We have had setbacks in the second season but you see the team coming, the squad developing, work hard on the training pitch, work hard during games".
What's next for Manchester United and Hojlund?
The 20-time Premier League champions will continue their pursuit of the top-four spot to secure European football next season, while Hojlund, on the other hand, will continue his rehabilitation until he is fully fit for match days.
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