Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly defended his controversial choice to allow striker Rasmus Hojlund to leave the club, despite a new injury blow to his main centre-forward, Benjamin Sesko.
The Injury Blow and Defensive Stance
Amorim's decision is under scrutiny after it was confirmed that summer signing Benjamin Sesko is set for a spell on the sidelines. The £73 million acquisition sustained a knee problem during training and is expected to be out for approximately three weeks. This rules him out of the crucial upcoming Premier League fixture against Everton.
Facing questions about his squad depth, Amorim did not shy away from the issue. 'We have a lot of problems,' the manager admitted following his team's recent draw against Tottenham. However, he stood firm on the choice to send Rasmus Hojlund, a £64 million signing from 2023, to Napoli on a loan deal that includes an option for a £38 million permanent transfer.
Amorim's Strategic Reasoning
Amorim elaborated on the logic behind what some fans see as a risky move. He stated that he could not justify keeping a player of Hojlund's calibre simply as an insurance policy against potential injuries to others in the squad.
His philosophy hinges on squad composition and development. 'I could not keep Hojlund on the team solely for potential injury cover,' Amorim explained, emphasising his preference for a more flexible attacking unit. He values players who can operate in multiple roles across the front line, thereby offering different tactical options.
Furthermore, the manager pointed to the importance of creating pathways for the club's academy prospects. By moving a senior striker on, he believes it opens up valuable opportunities for emerging young talents to train with the first team and potentially earn minutes on the pitch.
Analysing United's Current Forward Line
The situation highlights a potential gap in the Manchester United attack. While the squad does contain other forward options, Amorim's system appears to lack a direct replacement for a traditional number nine.
The current attacking roster includes:
- Bryan Mbeumo: A winger known for his pace and goal threat from wide areas.
- Matheus Cunha: An attacking player who often operates in a supporting or secondary striker role.
- Joshua Zirkzee: A forward with different attributes, but not considered an out-and-out goal poacher in the mould of Hojlund.
This leaves Amorim with a tactical puzzle to solve in Sesko's absence, relying on the versatility of his existing players rather than a like-for-like replacement for his injured star.
Meanwhile, the decision continues to be debated as Hojlund has found immediate form in Italy, having already scored four goals for Napoli since his departure from Old Trafford.
