Rúben Amorim, the newly-appointed head coach of Manchester United, has wasted no time in stamping his authority at Old Trafford, making it clear that he favours retaining Joshua Zirkzee over Rasmus Hojlund as interest in the latter from Serie A duo, Inter Milan and Napoli, intensifies.
According to talkSPORT, Amorim is keen to keep Zirkzee, offering him a potential central role in the squad’s future despite his modest return of seven goals and three assists in 49 appearances last season. The Dutchman’s versatility and ability to link-up play have evidently impressed Amorim enough to consider him indispensable, forcing Hojlund towards the exit to raise necessary funds for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Hojlund’s stint at Manchester United has been unremarkable since his high-profile £72 million transfer from Atalanta in 2023. The 22-year-old Danish striker has struggled to leave a mark, finding the net only 10 times in 52 appearances last term, with just four of those goals coming in the Premier League.
Despite Hojlund’s public declarations of wanting to stay—“I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United,” he told Ekstra Bladet—fiscal constraints and Amorim’s tactical preferences may see him shipped out this summer. Inter Milan are reportedly interested, proposing a loan with an option to purchase for a fee hovering around €45m (£38m), while Napoli are similarly considering a move to bolster their frontline.
As United’s management, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, mulls over potential changes in their attacking ranks, parallel considerations are being made in midfield. United’s interest has reportedly been reignited in Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi. The Nigerian international, valued at a bargain £9 million thanks to a relegation clause, presents a tempting low-risk acquisition to United’s engine room, especially with Casemiro’s future uncertain and the development of young prospect Kobbie Mainoo ongoing.
Ndidi’s situation is being closely watched not only by United but by Everton and Saudi club Al Ahli, underscoring his perceived value in the market despite Leicester’s fall from grace.
As the Red Devils navigate their fiscal prudence and a strategic overhaul, they face pivotal choices that will reshape their squad ahead of Amorim’s first full season. Whether the club will sanction Hojlund’s exit amid mounting Serie A interest, or secure midfield reinforcements like Ndidi, remains a matter of impending deliberation.
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