Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund is ‘hungry’ for the new season and the battle to be Erik ten Hag’s starting striker.

Hojlund, 21, had a challenging first season at Old Trafford and finished on 16 goals in all competitions. The young Dane was relied on for almost the entirety of the campaign without a backup – but now there’s set to be competition.

United have agreed a £36million deal to sign Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Italian side Bologna. The 23-year-old scored 11 Serie A goals last term to fire Bologna into the Champions League places, although he’s prepared to step down to the Europa League with United.

A 6ft 3in and used to being a lone striker like Hojlund, it’s expected that only one of them will make it into Ten Hag’s starting line-up once the new season gets going. Hojlund, though, is ready for the tussle, as he explained on Instagram.

Posting a picture of himself on holiday eating a huge tomahawk steak, the former Atalanta hotshot wrote as the caption: “This is how hungry I am for the season to start.”

Hojlund’s team-mates were loving his post in the replies, with midfielder Mason Mount writing: “Madman,” alongside three laughing emojis. “Enjoy your holidays and stay calm,” added defender Lisandro Martinez. Forward Alejandro Garnacho also posted: “It will be scary but not for us,” in an ominous warning to their rivals.

Centre-back Harry Maguire spotted a glass of wine next to Hojlund and hilariously wrote: “I hope that’s blackcurrant in that glass.”

Zirkzee is expected to provide competition for Hojlund after he completes his medical at the Red Devils’ Carrington training ground on Friday. United have agreed to pay slightly more than the Dutchman’s £34m release clause because that would’ve needed to be paid immediately as a lump sum.

The Red Devils can pay for Zirkzee over a three-year period thanks to the increased charge. The former Bayern Munich prospect, who played on loan for Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna in 2022, made his debut for the Netherlands last weekend when they defeated Turkey in the quarterfinals. He entered the game as a second-half substitute.

Despite coming on in injury time on Wednesday against England, Ronald Koeman’s team was unable to respond to Ollie Watkins’ game-winning goal in the 91st minute. Zirkzee might make his United debut as soon as Monday when the Red Devils kick off their global preseason tour against Rosenborg of Norway in Trondheim.