The Red Devils reportedly paid £72 million to recruit the 20-year-old attacker from Atalanta BC this summer, but he arrived at Old Trafford with a stress fracture in his back from the start of training camp.
Hojlund’s first three Premier League games without him ended in defeat for United against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest, respectively. Despite earning six of a potential nine points, Erik ten Hag’s team has mainly disappointed.
Last Saturday at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s team came back from a goal down to defeat Forest 3-2 thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes. Henrik Hojlund, an attacker, was left off the matchday roster.
Before Forest’s victory, Ten Hag stated that the youngster had just begun exercising with the team and will soon be joining his teammates for full exercises.
Hojlund’s inclusion in Kasper Hjulmand’s 23-man squad for the upcoming international break has since been confirmed by Denmark, giving Man United a significant boost in the striker’s physical condition.
According to the management of the team, Hjulmand and Man United have “some clear agreements” on Hojlund’s participation in Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifying games against San Marino and Finland.
In a statement to reporters on Tuesday, Hjulmand said, “I have some clear agreements with the club,” as reported by the Daily Mail. Hojlund should, if feasible, be given a few minutes of our time to demonstrate his presence.
The manager said, “He lacks game time, that’s clear, but he’s going to play a role [for Denmark], so we’ll have to see what he can do.”
Both Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Manchester United playmaker Christian Eriksen have been selected for the national team. Hojbjerg has been linked with a summer transfer to Old Trafford.
Hojlund’s potential inclusion in the first team squad would be a big bonus for the Red Devils as Ten Hag anticipates having at least six players out for Sunday’s match against Arsenal, including the left back duo of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia who are dealing with muscle injuries.
Amad Diallo (knee), Tom Heaton (calf), Mason Mount (hamstring), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Raphael Varane (who left the game against Forest at halftime with “complaints”) are all in the treatment room with him.
Ten Hag was described by the Evening Standard as saying, “He had complaints, we didn’t want to risk him.”
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are just two players that we are convinced we can replace. We’d rather not take the chance because the complaint could be serious. There is a lag time.
After the Gunners were forced to a 2-2 draw by Fulham last weekend, Manchester United will be seeking to prevent extending their unbeaten home streak to seven games when they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.