Manchester United are reportedly optimistic about including Rasmus Hojlund in their team for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The Denmark international has been sidelined due to a back issue, causing him to sit out the previous matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Hojlund has been training during the early weeks of the season, and Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag is hopeful of having him available for selection on Saturday.
While starting the game is unlikely due to his lack of recent action, there is a possibility that the 20-year-old talent could be named among the substitutes, offering the chance to feature in some capacity during the match.
Hojlund joined the 20-time English champions on August 5, signing a five-year contract after Atalanta BC agreed to his transfer.
During the 2022-23 season, he showcased his abilities by scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 34 appearances for Atalanta following his move from Sturm Graz.
Moreover, Hojlund is one of three new signings for Manchester United this summer, along with Mason Mount and Andre Onana, all of whom have bolstered the squad. However, Mount will be unavailable due to an injury sustained in the previous match against Tottenham.
In their quest to strengthen further, Manchester United aim to secure two more signings before the transfer window closes.
The club currently prioritizes the addition of a midfielder and goalkeeper to their ranks. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is considered the leading midfield target, although the completion of a deal for the Moroccan remains uncertain until the deadline.
Amrabat is currently training separately from Fiorentina’s main squad amidst speculation about his future and was not included in the lineup for Thursday’s Europa Conference League playoff first leg against Rapid Vienna.
However, departures are also expected from Manchester United. Players such as Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Donny van de Beek, and Scott McTominay have been linked with potential moves away from the club.
Regarding the goalkeeping position, Dean Henderson is reportedly in talks for a transfer to Crystal Palace, prompting rumors of Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir being targeted as competition for Onana.
Manchester United started their Premier League campaign on a positive note, securing a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Old Trafford on August 14. However, they faced a setback in their most recent match, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham in North London.