Rasmus Hojlund WON'T feature against Nottingham Forest this weekend
Rasmus Hojlund WON’T feature against Nottingham Forest as Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United’s absent striker still isn’t ready for his debut
- Rasmus Hojlund is still being eased into training at Manchester United
- Erik ten Hag revealed the Danish striker won’t feature against Nottingham Forest
- WATCH: It’s All Coming Up – Mail Sport’s preview show for the weekend’s football
Erik ten Hag has deflated hopes that Manchester United supporters could finally see Rasmus Hojlund make his debut this weekend after admitting the striker is not yet ready.
Hojlund has been nursing a back injury that he arrived from Atalanta with and United have been nursing their £72m star back to full health since he was unveiled at Old Trafford.
United are desperate for the promising goalscorer to be fit after finding the back of the net just once in their two opening Premier League fixtures and reeling from defeat against Tottenham last time out.
There was hope that the 20-year-old could be fit for at least a cameo appearance when United take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but Ten Hag has dashed those suggestions at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
‘Not for tomorrow [Saturday],’ Ten Hag said of Hojlund when asked about whether the Danish international would feature.
Rasmus Hojlund will not feature for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest on Saturday
United boss Erik ten Hag (pictured) revealed Hojlund still isn’t ready to feature for United
‘Today for the first time he came into team training so next week I expect him to do a full week. He’s very near to making the squad.’
Hojlund’s continued absence means Ten Hag will likely look to deploy Marcus Rashford upfront again as he has done at the start of United’s new campaign.
However, the England star recently looked uncomfortable playing through the middle against Spurs and prefers being deployed on the left-wing in his favoured position.
Hojlund has been nursing a back injury since he arrived at United in a £72m deal from Atalanta
Ten Hag’s update provides an update into United’s refusal to rush their summer marquee signing into the fray in a bid to aid their troublesome start to the season.
United are instead opting to ensure he has fully recovered from a stress response hotspot that is a common problem in young players breaking into senior football.
The injury most often occurs when there’s a sudden increase in the intensity and workload on an immature skeleton.
Barring any new injury, Hojlund should be fit to make his debut at the Emirates against Arsenal on Sunday, September 3.
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