Rasmus Hojlund 'to miss start of Manchester United's season through injury'

Rasmus Hojlund will reportedly miss the start of the 2023-24 campaign with an injury that he picked up during Atalanta BC's preparations for the new season.

The Denmark international officially completed his move to Manchester United on Saturday and was presented to the Old Trafford crowd ahead of the team's pre-season contest with Lens.

There had been suggestions that Hojlund could be available for Sunday's game against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin, which will be the team's final friendly of the summer.

However, according to The Athletic, the 20-year-old will be absent in the early weeks of the season due to a minor issue that he suffered during pre-season.

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Journalist Laurie Whitwell claims that the forward is training but will take 'a few weeks' to regain match fitness, suggesting that he is likely to miss at least Man United's first two games.

The Red Devils will begin their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14 before visiting Tottenham Hotspur on August 19.

The clash with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on August 26 could potentially provide the opportunity for Hojlund to make his debut depending on how the injury progresses.

The Dane has become Man United's third signing of the summer transfer window after Mason Mount and Andre Onana arrived from Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively.

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Hojlund was not involved in Atalanta's clash with Bournemouth in England last week amid the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Italian giants.

There have been suggestions that Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag views the Dane as a player capable of playing across the attack rather than always down the middle.

Ten Hag is believed to want a number nine to arrive before the end of the transfer window, in addition to another midfielder, but any further business will depend on departures.

Eric Bailly was again left out of the squad against Lens on Saturday, and it is understood that two clubs from the Saudi Pro League have made offers for him this summer.