MUFC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on matchday one. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Alan Pardew has expressed his sympathy towards Rasmus Hojlund, whom Manchester United are desperately trying to sell before the transfer deadline.
Just two years into the Dane’s five-year deal at Old Trafford, he is being pushed towards the exit following the arrival of a direct replacement in the form of Benjamin Sesko.
Alan Pardew concerned by Rasmus Hojlund situation
Ahead of the weekend’s season-opener against Arsenal, it was confirmed Hojlund would miss out completely amid expectations he had already played his final game for United.
He did attend the match, but could only watch on from the stands as the goalscoring burden was shared between Matheus Cunha and, eventually, Sesko off the bench.
When weighing in on the club’s transfer business on talkSPORT, Pardew told the panel: “I’ll be very surprised [if Carlos Baleba happens] unless they get a big signing out. Maybe, if Hojlund were to move on, that would create enough room. I mean, where was he today? He wasn’t even in the squad.
“I feel so sorry for that young boy – he had to wear the number nine shirt almost entirely on his own last year, carrying the team. And even though he was trying to grow into it, now all of a sudden it’s like, ‘you’ve got to go.’”
Pardew’s wrong, United are right to part ways with Hojlund
It’s a sentiment that is being echoed by some supporters. However, others are pleased to see INEOS finally acting ruthlessly. If this had been the case earlier in the likes of Jadon Sancho’s and Antony’s tenures, they’d have perhaps been removed from the books in a more timely manner, as opposed to constant loans without recuperating any money at all.
Hojlund, truthfully, just has not been at the calibre required of a Premier League centre-forward. 14 goals in 62 top-flight matches is nothing short of an atrocious return for a £72 million investment, so why not try and make some of the funds back whilst he has suitors waiting to negotiate a deal?
As things stand, Hojlund has attracted interest from as many as five Serie A sides, with AC Milan deemed frontrunners after holding direct talks in recent days.
He was initially closed off to the prospect of a premature United exit, but has since conceded that he’s unlikely to play even if he does stay put.
