Man Utd news: Hojlund sends reality check message as Amorim replacement takes huge turn

Manchester United are preparing to face Sunderland this weekend, with manager Ruben Amorim coming under increased pressure and striker Rasmus Hojlund sending a message to the club

Manchester United have endured a difficult start to the season. The club’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford last weekend was the latest sign that the Red Devils are yet to click under manager Ruben Amorim.

The team’s loss to Brentford was a stinging result ahead of another crucial test against Sunderland at Old Trafford this weekend. Without European football to contend with, Amorim’s side have plenty of time to rest up, but watching the action from afar only serves as another reminder of the club’s failures.

United’s consistently faltering league form, combined with their shock cup exit to Grimsby, has piled pressure on Amorim. The former Sporting Lisbon manager has been at Old Trafford for less than a year, but United are being linked with possible replacements.

Meanwhile, the Champions League provided United with a fresh regret, as Rasmus Hojlund starred for Napoli. The United loanee had a tough couple of seasons at Old Trafford but has been likened to one of the Premier League ’s best strikers, just months after leaving the club.

The 22-year-old rubbed further salt into United’s wounds with his celebratory post on social media. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the headlines surrounding United.

READ MORE: Man Utd ‘considered hiring ex-player’ before Ruben Amorim – and he’s still availableREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim Man Utd future: Gareth Southgate stance, resignation fears, sack timeframe

Man Utd get Ruben Amorim replacement boost

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been linked with replacing Amorim at Old Trafford and the Red Devils could benefit from the Austrian coach’s contract situation. Glasner led Palace to FA Cup glory, the club’s first-ever major trophy, and his side are currently third in the table, but his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

BBC Sport reports that Glasner was offered an extension in the summer but preferred to see how the transfer window unfolded before putting pen to paper. Palace endured a frustrating summer, selling Eberechi Eze and almost losing Marc Guehi.

The chances of Glasner staying with Palace beyond this season are described as “remote”. This could open the door for United to eventually make a move, given that he also favours a similar formation to Amorim.

Rasmus Hojlund compared to Erling Haaland

Players thriving once they leave United has become an ongoing theme, but few people would have predicted that Hojlund would earn comparisons to Manchester City ’s Erling Haaland. The 22-year-old United loanee scored twice in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Sporting on Wednesday, with both goals being assisted by Kevin De Bruyne, who compared the Dane to his former teammate.

“I think Rasmus has a lot of quality, I think he’s quite similar to Haaland in terms of player type, both are left-footed and like to attack space,” De Bruyne said in a post-match interview. “It was a great night for him and I think he’ll help us score a lot of goals from now on.”

Hojlund’s calm finish for his first goal and winning header was a stark contrast to his performances for United and served as a reality check that players are struggling to fulfil their potential at the club. It is telling that Hojlund is thriving in the same team as last season’s Serie A MVP and former United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Rasmus Hojlund sends Man Utd reminder

Before completing his loan move to Napoli, Hojlund wanted to fight for his place at United this season. However, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford subsequently led Hojlund to join Antonio Conte ’s side.

While it may have been unexpected, the move has already proven to be the right decision for Hojlund. He has three goals in seven games and looks set to easily eclipse the 10 he scored in 52 appearances for United last season.

Given his initial determination to stick with United, Hojlund did not expect to score a Champions League brace this season, highlighting his twist of fate in a social media post. “‘Højlund scores twice in the Champions League after two assists from Kevin de Bruyne’ was not on my 2025 bingo card,” he wrote on Instagram.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.