Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United’s young striker, is poised to make his competitive debut for the club after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since his preseason match on July 27 against Arsenal.
Having spent weeks recovering, the 21-year-old has traveled with the team to London and could feature in their upcoming game against Crystal Palace, though his participation might be limited to the bench.
This development offers a significant boost to United manager Erik ten Hag, who will be glad to have Hojlund available again, especially considering the hefty £62 million transfer fee spent on securing the player. Despite the team’s ability to cope during his absence, securing recent wins against Southampton and Barnsley with a total of 10 goals, Hojlund’s return brings a fresh dimension to United’s attack.
Ten Hag faces a selection challenge for the match at Selhurst Park, given the abundance of in-form attacking options, including Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Amad. Hojlund’s return complicates this decision but also offers valuable competition and depth as the team navigates a busy schedule. Another player nearing a return is Mason Mount, who resumed training after his own injury.
However, Ten Hag remains cautious, noting that the medical team will assess both Hojlund and Mount before determining their fitness for the match. While Mount wasn’t pictured with the squad, his involvement remains a possibility as some players traveled through private terminals.
Ten Hag expressed optimism about the progress of both players, emphasizing the importance of not rushing their return to avoid aggravating their injuries. Reflecting on last season, where injuries depleted the squad, the Dutch manager is now more focused on managing player workloads, aided by the squad’s increased depth this season.
With the inclusion of Hojlund, Mount, and even new arrivals like Manuel Ugarte, United is building a more robust squad to handle the demands of top-level football.
As Manchester United prepares for the match, excitement among fans grows, especially with Hojlund’s potential debut. His signing was a major achievement, and his return could invigorate the team as they aim to maintain their strong form across competitions.
Leave a Reply