vox888 Manchester United will not rush Rasmus Hojlund’s return with the Denmark striker likely to be out longer than expected. vox888

Hojlund has been struggling with a hamstring injury since a pre-season friendly on the United States tour against Arsenal on July 28. At the time, the 21-year-old was expected to be out for around six weeks, until mid-September. ( vox888 )

Manchester United were hoping to see Hojlund return to action in the first game of the 2024-25 season after the international break in September, when Erik ten Hag’s side travel to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, September 14. However, that does not appear to be the case.

ESPN, citing sources close to the club, claim Manchester United will take a cautious approach to Hojlund’s recovery amid concerns the Denmark international has not regained his fitness in pre-season due to an early injury.

At present, Hojlund has been able to train in the gym and on the grass alone, but has not yet joined up with the rest of Ten Hag’s squad, with United set to reassess his fitness this week before travelling to Southampton, but there will be no pressure to return to action too soon.

Hojlund last played in Denmark’s last-16 loss to Germany at Euro 2024 on June 29, then took a holiday and returned to Carrington on July 22. He had less than a week to train before suffering the injury in a friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles.