Rasmus Hojlund in line to make Man Utd debut against Arsenal
- Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has admitted Rasmus Hojlund could start at Arsenal on Sunday
- Striker arrived at Red Devils from Atalanta with back injury
- Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have filled in up front so far this season
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is fit enough to start games again and could make his debut on Sunday against Arsenal.
The Denmark international completed an initial £64m transfer from Atalanta to the Red Devils back in August, but he arrived with a back injury the prevented him from featuring during the early weeks of the new season.
Reports also suggested that Hojlund's injury could prove to be further debilitating in years to come.
Ahead of this weekend's trip to Premier League rivals Arsenal, Ten Hag told a press conference that his new star striker is ready to take to the pitch as a Man Utd player for the first time.
"Yes, he's had a good training week. Tomorrow we will have a final training session but he's doing well, he's responding well," Ten Hag said.
"So, yeah, he'll be available for Sunday's game. I think he's ready to start."
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Man Utd were in desperate need of a new centre forward this summer having stumbled their way through the 2022/23 season without a reliable option.
Cristiano Ronaldo tanked his way out of the club before Christmas, while Anthony Martial has spent plenty of time injured over the last few years. Wout Weghorst joined on loan in January but ended up playing most of his minutes as an attacking midfielder instead.
Marcus Rashford has been tasked with starting through the middle on several occasions - including twice at the start of this season - but he is naturally a wide forward and is nowhere near as proficient when playing as a number nine.
During pre-season, Jadon Sancho was utilised as a centre forward, while Scott McTominay ended Man Utd's opening day win against Wolves up top.
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