- Rasmus Hojlund 100% to leave Manchester United
- How has the striker performed this season?
- Do United need a new backup for Sesko?
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is expected to depart the club this summer, after a successful season-long stint at 2024/25 Italian champions Napoli.
The Danish forward failed to convince across his two seasons at the Red Devils, scoring just 26 times across 95 games—not good enough for a player in his position.
In the 2024/25 season, when United needed him most, Hojlund endured a prolonged drought, going 22 hours and 19 minutes without scoring whilst on the pitch—21 games in total.
Although his first season showed promise, scoring 16 goals in 43 games and helping United win their first FA Cup since 2016, it did not sway opinion at the club, and as his form dipped, frustration among supporters grew.
Hojlund, however, always gave everything on the pitch. In an interview with Sky Sports upon joining from Atalanta, Hojlund said, “expect a guy who’ll die for Manchester United.
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Hojlund Departure Confirmed
Regardless of whether Napoli wanted Hojlund, the Italian side triggered their obligation to buy after qualifying for the Champions League.
“There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here,” said sporting director Giovanni Manna.
“We have an obligation to buy from Manchester United, in case of Champions League access, but he is in our plans regardless of this condition.”
The Danish forward cost United £76 million in 2023, and the club will receive roughly half of that fee once Napoli secures Champions League football.
Antonio Conte’s side sit second and require just four points from their remaining three games to confirm qualification to Europe’s premier competition.
Of course, stranger things have happened—but the outcome feels inevitable.
United are ready to cut their losses and allow the Dane to move on. Whilst it would stretch the truth to say Hojlund has flourished, he has improved on his wayward 2025/26 campaign, scoring 14 goals across 41 appearances.
One person who does not welcome the departure, however, is fellow countryman and former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. Speaking on Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt’s podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football, Schmeichel said:
“A bit of a shame because I like Hojlund by the way and think he could have been absolutely fantastic. But I don’t think he wants to come back.”
Schmeichel’s former team-mate Nicky Butt added: “What they did with Hojlund was wrong because they brought a young boy in who’s not got any Premier League experience and asked him to carry Manchester United.
“I’m scared they’re going to do that with (Benjamin) Sesko. I know Sesko has done really well of late but they still need to get another centre forward, we had four top players in that position.”
Do Manchester United need another striker?
United could be on the verge of a summer exodus. A host of players, including multiple loanees, look set to leave, and United must reinforce the squad.
Whilst not every player faces departure, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Toby Collyer have all drawn interest, whilst Casemiro and Hojlund look certain to go.
Even if Zirkzee stays, a case remains for United to sign a true number nine as backup—something Zirkzee himself has resisted, preferring to describe his role as a “9.5.”
United will direct most of the summer budget towards at least two—if not three—midfielders. Casemiro’s exit leaves a void in the centre of the pitch that demands attention.
The club will target a player capable of operating box-to-box, shielding a midfield pairing of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, whilst also anchoring the defence.
If funds remain, United may explore the market for a seasoned striker capable of guaranteeing 10-plus goals a season.
