MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Ruben Amorim says Rasmus Hojlund is available to face Grimsby in the Carabao Cup despite seemingly heading for the Old Trafford exit.
Hojlund was absent from the United squad for their opening two Premier League matches of the season amid speculation linking him with a move to Napoli.
The 22-year-old Dane’s days at United look numbered following the big-money arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
However, when quizzed whether Hojlund could figure in Wednesday night’s trip to Blundell Park, Amorim said: “All the players are available.
“Then we will make the choice to try to get the best starting XI to win the game.”
United have picked up just one point from their opening two Premier League matches, a defeat at home to Arsenal and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Amorim admitted he will shuffle his pack against the Sky Bet League Two Mariners.
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“We have three games this week,” he added. “We have quality players and we have to rotate to try to win every game.”
Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui is not ready to return, but is edging closer to fitness. The 27-year-old missed most of United’s pre-season fixtures after picking up a thigh injury.
“Maybe he’s going to return next week,” added Amorim.
“We are just finishing some drills with him to make sure he’s not going to have another problem.”
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson (file pic). Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Meanwhile, Newcastle and Aston Villa remain in the race to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea despite a loan bid having been received for the striker from Bayern Munich, the PA news agency understands.
The 24-year-old has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge with the Blues favouring a permanent transfer ahead of next week’s deadline, though the only bid so far has come from the Bundesliga champions for a season-long arrangement.
PA understands Napoli are also interested in taking the Senegal international off Chelsea’s hands, though it is not known whether they would prefer a transfer over a loan.
Should Jackson, who has scored 31 goals in 80 games since a £22.5million (€26 million) move from Villarreal in 2023, remain in the Premier League, it will likely be either at St James’ Park or Villa Park, though obstacles remain in both cases.
PA understands Newcastle want a resolution to Alexander Isak’s future before moving for Jackson whilst Villa are reported to have been reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £60m (€69m) valuation, with profit and sustainability rules a factor, though a move does hold the appeal of reuniting Jackson with his former boss in Spain, Unai Emery.
Jackson does not have a future at Chelsea following the arrivals of strikers Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich during the summer.
He was signed initially with a view to being understudy to the more experienced Christopher Nkunku, who joined from RB Leipzig at the same time, though injuries to the France international that have largely wrecked his time at Chelsea meant Jackson has been the team’s main striker for the last two seasons.
He endured an almost five-month goal drought in the league between December and May last season, which ultimately persuaded the club to pursue alternatives.
Chelsea need to offload Jackson and Nkunku to move forward with moves for Leipzig’s Xavi Simons — who PA understands favours a move to west London — and Manchester United’s unwanted winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Finally, Borussia Dortmund’s summer Premier League recruitment drive continued on Tuesday with the signing of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea until 2030.
England U21 representative Chukwuemeka, 21, joins for a reported fee of €25 million.
He spent the second half of last season at Dortmund on loan, staying on as the club made the quarter-finals at the Club World Cup.
Chukwuemeka played 17 times for Dortmund in all competitions, scoring once and impressed despite struggling with injury.
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Rasmus Hojlund available, Premier League duo target Nicolas Jackson
Updated at 19.18
MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Ruben Amorim says Rasmus Hojlund is available to face Grimsby in the Carabao Cup despite seemingly heading for the Old Trafford exit.
Hojlund was absent from the United squad for their opening two Premier League matches of the season amid speculation linking him with a move to Napoli.
The 22-year-old Dane’s days at United look numbered following the big-money arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
However, when quizzed whether Hojlund could figure in Wednesday night’s trip to Blundell Park, Amorim said: “All the players are available.
“Then we will make the choice to try to get the best starting XI to win the game.”
United have picked up just one point from their opening two Premier League matches, a defeat at home to Arsenal and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Amorim admitted he will shuffle his pack against the Sky Bet League Two Mariners.
“We have three games this week,” he added. “We have quality players and we have to rotate to try to win every game.”
Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui is not ready to return, but is edging closer to fitness. The 27-year-old missed most of United’s pre-season fixtures after picking up a thigh injury.
“Maybe he’s going to return next week,” added Amorim.
“We are just finishing some drills with him to make sure he’s not going to have another problem.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle and Aston Villa remain in the race to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea despite a loan bid having been received for the striker from Bayern Munich, the PA news agency understands.
The 24-year-old has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge with the Blues favouring a permanent transfer ahead of next week’s deadline, though the only bid so far has come from the Bundesliga champions for a season-long arrangement.
PA understands Napoli are also interested in taking the Senegal international off Chelsea’s hands, though it is not known whether they would prefer a transfer over a loan.
Should Jackson, who has scored 31 goals in 80 games since a £22.5million (€26 million) move from Villarreal in 2023, remain in the Premier League, it will likely be either at St James’ Park or Villa Park, though obstacles remain in both cases.
PA understands Newcastle want a resolution to Alexander Isak’s future before moving for Jackson whilst Villa are reported to have been reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £60m (€69m) valuation, with profit and sustainability rules a factor, though a move does hold the appeal of reuniting Jackson with his former boss in Spain, Unai Emery.
Jackson does not have a future at Chelsea following the arrivals of strikers Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich during the summer.
He was signed initially with a view to being understudy to the more experienced Christopher Nkunku, who joined from RB Leipzig at the same time, though injuries to the France international that have largely wrecked his time at Chelsea meant Jackson has been the team’s main striker for the last two seasons.
He endured an almost five-month goal drought in the league between December and May last season, which ultimately persuaded the club to pursue alternatives.
Chelsea need to offload Jackson and Nkunku to move forward with moves for Leipzig’s Xavi Simons — who PA understands favours a move to west London — and Manchester United’s unwanted winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Finally, Borussia Dortmund’s summer Premier League recruitment drive continued on Tuesday with the signing of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea until 2030.
England U21 representative Chukwuemeka, 21, joins for a reported fee of €25 million.
He spent the second half of last season at Dortmund on loan, staying on as the club made the quarter-finals at the Club World Cup.
Chukwuemeka played 17 times for Dortmund in all competitions, scoring once and impressed despite struggling with injury.
* With additional reporting from AFP
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