Ruben Amorim reveals real reason why Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund were dropped from Man Utd squad vs Arsenal

Ruben Amorim has explained the reasons behind dropping Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund from the Manchester United squad to face Arsenal as speculation surrounds both their futures at the club.

United began their Premier League campaign this afternoon at Old Trafford against the Gunners but both Onana and Hojlund were absent from the matchday squad.

Amorim chose Altay Bayindir to start as goalkeeper while a front three of Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo was selected.

Tom Heaton was on the bench as the back-up stopper, while new signing Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee were among the substitutes in the centre forward department.

Speculation has surrounded the futures of Onana and Hojlund this summer, after both players arrived under Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2023 and each penned initial five-year contracts at Old Trafford.

Onana arrived from Inter Milan for a £43.8m transfer fee as the Cameroon international replaced the departed David De Gea and has made 101 appearances for United across the past two seasons.

But Onana has failed to truly convince during his time at United and the Old Trafford club are reportedly casting their eye over potential goalkeeping reinforcements.

Hojlund meanwhile has scored 26 goals in 95 appearances for United since arriving from Atalanta for an overall £72m transfer fee.

Ruben Amorim has explained the absences of both Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund. (Image: Getty)

But the Denmark international struggled for form and looked devoid of confidence for large parts of last season, scoring just four goals in the Premier League.

And the purchase of Sesko from RB Leipzig in an overall £74m deal this summer suggests Amorim sees the Slovenian international as his new first choice striker, rather than Hojlund.

Ruben Amorim comments on Man Utd absences

Both Onana and Hojlund were at Old Trafford to watch their team-mates in action against the Gunners, despite not being in the matchday squad.

And speaking before the Premier League encounter to Sky Sports, Amorim explained the decision not to include either player in his plans for today.

Onana had picked up a hamstring injury which hampered his pre-season plans and the stopper has trained only a handful of times before today's game.

Amorim confirmed Onana has now recovered from his injury but that other players had performed well during pre-season and that the United boss opted to go for Bayindir.

Amorim said: "It's an option. We try to choose the best players for each game. Next week is a different life, this week we chose these players.

"He (Onana) recovered but the other guys did so well in pre-season, so I have to balance that."