Erik ten Hag's surprising plan to replace injured Rasmus Hojlund

  • Man Utd to be without Rasmus Hojlund for around three weeks due to muscle injury
  • Erik ten Hag looking at 19-year-old Omari Forson as replacement
  • Academy graduate could be picked instead of Antony or Amad Diallo
Hojlund is set for a spell on the sidelines
Hojlund is set for a spell on the sidelines / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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Manchester United are expected to hand a first start to 19-year-old forward Omari Forson when they take on Fulham on Saturday following news of Rasmus Hojlund's injury.

Hojlund will miss roughly two to three weeks of action after sustaining a muscle problem, curtailing his recent record-breaking run of scoring form.

The Athletic report that in preparation for dealing with the Dane's absence, United have been training with a front three of Forson, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Forson is viewed as a winger capable of playing on either flank as well as in midfielder and though it is not specified which player has been training in Hojlund's centre forward position, Rashford is the most likely candidate to move into the number nine role.

United's only other natural centre forward alternative to Hojlund is Anthony Martial, but he recently underwent surgery on a groin injury and is not expected back until April.


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Forson looks set to earn a place in Ten Hag's starting lineup over £82m signing Antony, who has yet to score or assist in his 19 Premier League appearances so far this season, and 21-year-old Amad Diallo.

Though born and raised in London, Forson joined United as a 16-year-old from Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. He was part of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning side which features current first-team stars Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Forson made his Premier League debut earlier this month, coming off the bench to assist Mainoo's 97th-minute winner in their dramatic 4-3 victory at Wolves.

Like Mainoo, Forson has been capped by England at various youth levels but also qualifies to play for Ghana through his parents.


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