Man United to Unveil Hojlund Before Lens Friendly

Manchester United plan to reveal Rasmus Hojlund before their friendly with Lens on Saturday after he passed his medical and signed a five-year contract.

Erik ten Hag’s side will play their second to last pre-season friendly at Old Trafford, giving fans a glimpse of the club’s latest £72 million signing just days after Hojlund put pen to paper.

The Danish wonderkid joins United from Atalanta as their priority signing after first acquiring the services of Mason Mount and Andre Onana earlier in the window.

Atalanta were reluctant to part with the 20-year-old talent, and United’s deal was nearly hijacked by Paris Saint-Germain at the last, but the club’s new striker – who emerged as the first choice option in the position after Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen’s exorbitant fees ruled them out – will arrive to boost the squad’s attacking ranks before the season starts.

Upon passing his medical, Hojlund will sign a lucrative contract keeping him at the club until at least 2028, with the option to extend an additional year. To prepare for his move, the striker missed Atalanta’s two pre-season clashes and will need to regain fitness before starting in the Premier League.

But Ten Hag hopes no time is wasted in getting Hojlund firing for his side as United look to correct their striker issue. Last season’s emergency loan signing of Wout Weghorst from Besiktas failed to pay dividends, forcing Marcus Rashford to pick up the slack in front of goal. While the England star enjoyed a blistering 30-goal season, his Dutch manager will want greater attacking firepower as Man United prepare to compete for silverware domestically and in the Champions League.

Club legend Rio Ferdinand was particularly optimistic about his team’s capture of Hojlund, assessing the youngster as ‘suited to the Premier League’, but warned that adjustment may take some time. “I look at it a bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season,” Ferdinand shared. “He’s a young striker coming to the league, everything about him fits the Premier League perfectly but it didn’t go as well as he would of liked.”

“But I think this season we’ll see a different player for Liverpool. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens with Hojlund although I’d like him to have a better season than that obviously.

He may well do but it will take time to adjust.” Hojlund spent just one season at Atalanta before securing the blockbuster move to the English top flight, and before that, just half a season at Sturm Graz. Before moving abroad in January 2022, the striker came through the youth system at Copenhagen.