Rasmus Hojlund makes immediate Man Utd transfer decision after being left out of squad vs Arsenal

Rasmus Hojlund is said to have made a decision on his Manchester United future on the back of being left out of the squad against Arsenal.

United begin their Premier League campaign this afternoon at Old Trafford against the Gunners with speculation surrounding the future of the Denmark international striker.

Hojlund joined United in the summer of 2023 from Italian side Atalanta in an overall deal with a reported £72m including add-ons.

He agreed a five-year contract with the option of an extra 12 months and scored 16 goals across 43 matches in his first season as United won the FA Cup.

However, Hojlund struggled for form last season and scored 10 goals in 52 matches in all competitions, including only four strikes in the Premier League.

His overall record across two seasons at United stands at only 26 goals in 95 games.

United have strengthened heavily in the final third this summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford respectively.

And Ruben Amorim's side recently added a new striker to the squad in the form of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in an overall deal worth a reported £74m.

That transfer in particular has now placed intense scrutiny on Hojlund's Old Trafford future as Sesko is expected to be Amorim's first choice striker now.

Rasmus Hojlund faces an uncertain future at Manchester United. (Image: Getty)

And Amorim has made the decision to leave Hojlund out of today's matchday squad against the Gunners, with Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee both on the bench with a front three of Mbeumo, Cunha and Mason Mount for the club's opening Premier League fixture of the new campaign.

Hojlund had made it clear on the club's pre-season tour of the USA that his plans were to stay at United and fight for his place regardless of what happened.

Over the summer, he said: "I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.

"Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me. I’m more than ready. I’m feeling sharp so I’m welcoming everything that comes."

That feeling was said to have remained even following Sesko's arrival - but Amorim's decision today might well have changed things.

According to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hojlund would change his mind about staying at United if he was either on the bench against the Gunners or left out of the squad altogether.

The latter has now transpired and several clubs have been linked with a move for his services, including AC Milan and RB Leipzig.

According to The Athletic, United's preference would be to sell Hojlund and recoup funds for use in the transfer market, but would also consider the prospect of a loan move for the striker.