Man Utd receive huge boost with Rasmus Hojlund in line for debut vs Forest

Manchester United are set to receive a massive boost this weekend with summer signing Rasmus Hojlund in line to make the matchday squad for the first time, according to reports.

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The 20-year-old arrived at Old Trafford earlier this month in a £72million deal from Atalanta but his medical picked up a small injury with his back that required careful management.

Hojlund has a ‘stress response hotspot’ sustained during pre-season training with his previous club and was put on an individual training programme to manage his recovery.

Exactly two weeks ago, United said the problem would keep the Denmark international sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ and it appears the wait to see Hojlund may finally be over.

According to The Sun, the youngster is now ready to start full training with the rest of the first-team squad and will be involved in several sessions before Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

He has shown no ill effects to the issue and is ready to be integrated with the squad, though United are likely to tread carefully initially.

It is hoped he will be fit enough to make the bench at Old Trafford and could be introduced as a substitute to make his debut for the club.

Several fringe players were involved in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley on Wednesday, losing 3-0, but Hojlund was not involved – though Anthony Martial did take part.

United are in serious need of more firepower up top after two uninspiring performances against Wolves and Tottenham to begin the season.

Ten Hag’s side were a tad fortunate to claim all three points in their curtain-raiser against Wolves and required a goal from centre-back Raphael Varane to get them over the line – the only player to score for United so far this season.

The attack were particularly profligate against Spurs at the weekend, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford missing great opportunities in the first half before Antony hit the post in the second.

Ten Hag will not rush Hojlund back until he is ready to play, saying earlier this month: ‘We don’t rush. It is about him being in the right level and then we have to integrate him in training and then we will bring him into the games.

‘We take our time. It is not about winning in this moment, it is about winning in the long term. We are very confident we found the right striker, but he needs time. Time to integrate and now he is now unavailable, it delays the process.

‘I’m quite calm, composed in this situation, because Rashy is very good as a striker, we have seen it last Saturday. Anthony Martial is available as well. Jadon Sancho can play there as well, he did it in pre-season very well. The squad can deal with it, as I already said this. There is a strategy behind it.’

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