Manchester United Consider Hojlund Sale Amid Sesko Pursuit Manchester United are reportedly open to selling striker Rasmus Hojlund for a fee of £30 million, despite the player's public desire to remain at Old Trafford. This development comes amid the club's strong interest in RB Leipzig's Slovenian forward, Benjamin Sesko, raising questions about United's long-term plans for the Danish international.

Hojlund's Future in Doubt Hojlund, who joined Manchester United from Atalanta in 2023 for a reported £72 million, scored twice in a recent pre-season friendly against Bournemouth in Chicago. Following the match, he stated his intention to stay at the club, despite ongoing speculation linking United with Sesko. However, sources close to the club suggest the situation is far from settled.

Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in Sesko, but are yet to agree a deal with RB Leipzig. Manchester United are said to be carefully considering their next move, with reports suggesting that Sesko would prefer a move to Old Trafford. While United sources maintain they could complete a deal for Sesko without player sales, it is widely understood that departures would be necessary to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

The potential arrival of Sesko would likely marginalise Hojlund, making a sale of the Danish striker a more viable option for United. Selling Hojlund for £30 million would represent a financial loss for the club, as his "book value" is currently estimated at £43 million, given he is two years into his five-year contract.

Context: Goalscoring Woes and Summer Spending Manchester United have already spent almost £130 million this summer on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, highlighting the club's desire to bolster their attacking options. The club's struggles in front of goal during the previous Premier League campaign were a major concern, prompting the pursuit of attacking reinforcements. Initial interest in Liam Delap, who eventually joined Chelsea, further indicated United's intent to sign a new number nine.

However, the signings of Mbeumo and Cunha, who are arguably better suited to playing behind a main striker, have not addressed the need for a prolific goalscorer, leading to the renewed interest in Sesko. This has created a complex situation regarding Hojlund's future at the club.

Expert Analysis: Has Hojlund Been Given a Fair Chance? Former Blackburn striker and BBC pundit Chris Sutton has questioned whether Hojlund has been given sufficient opportunities to prove himself at Manchester United. "Have United been providing him with the chances and the opportunities? The answer to that is no," Sutton stated. "But also, you have to consider whether he has done well enough. Has he ever been a prolific goalscorer? That would be the nagging doubt and is something I have debated with United fans."

Sutton acknowledged Hojlund's positive attitude and the time he has on his side, but also highlighted the lack of clear-cut chances created for him. Data suggests Hojlund's goals came from chances worth only 5.2 expected goals (xG), indicating a lack of quality service or opportunities created by the team.

United's Recruitment Strategy Under Scrutiny The potential sale of Hojlund raises questions about Manchester United's recruitment strategy. While Erik ten Hag initially praised Hojlund's "huge potential," his limited goal return has led to doubts about his long-term suitability for the club. He only managed four league goals the previous season.

The decision to potentially offload Hojlund after just two seasons, particularly given the significant investment made in him, will inevitably draw criticism if he goes on to succeed elsewhere. It highlights the pressure on clubs to achieve immediate results and the challenges of developing young players in a high-pressure environment.

Profit and Sustainability Rules Loom Large Ultimately, Manchester United's decision regarding Hojlund and Sesko will likely be influenced by the need to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. Selling Hojlund would provide a financial boost and create space in the squad for Sesko, but it would also represent a significant gamble on the club's recruitment strategy.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of both Hojlund and Manchester United's attacking options as they navigate the complexities of the transfer market and the constraints of financial fair play.