Rasmus Højlund has been left out of Manchester United’s squad for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford, fuelling speculation over the Denmark striker’s future at the club.
It is understood that head coach Rúben Amorim made the decision following the £73.7m arrival of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig, which has cast doubt on Højlund’s role in United’s restructured forward line.
Although the 22-year-old has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain at Old Trafford, opportunities appear limited under Amorim, who has already shown a willingness to move away from a traditional centre-forward system. In the final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina, Højlund was left on the bench while Mason Mount started as a false nine. Amorim has repeated that call against Arsenal, with Mount leading the line again and Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee named among the substitutes.
AC Milan are among the clubs monitoring Højlund’s situation closely. While no agreement has been reached, the Serie A side are understood to be leading the race should United sanction a sale. Højlund joined United for £72m from Atalanta in 2023, scoring 16 goals in his debut season before netting 10 times in 52 appearances last term.
Amorim has been backed heavily in the transfer market, with United investing nearly £200m to overhaul the attack. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are set to operate in the dual No 10 roles that underpin Amorim’s system, while Mount, Bruno Fernandes and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo are all seen as options to deputise in the false nine slot. Fernandes notably excelled there in the 2024 FA Cup final win.
Seventeen-year-old Chido Obi, who broke into the first team late last season, is also expected to see minutes but more likely as a substitute.
United’s leadership is understood to support Amorim’s decision, viewing the shift as essential to modernising the team’s style. For Højlund, however, the future looks uncertain: a striker once seen as central to United’s rebuild now risks being squeezed out just two years into his Old Trafford career.
