Manchester United have been handed a major injury scare after Rasmus Hojlund was allegedly targeted by San Marino players on international duty on Tuesday night. Erik ten Hag could face the latest in a long line of injury blows ahead of Saturday’s return to club football against Sheffield United.
The Red Devils are set to travel to Bramall Lane in the Premier League this weekend, looking to build on their last-gasp 2-1 win against Brentford before the international break.
And Hojlund will have undoubtedly been one of the first names on Ten Hag’s teamsheet before Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifying clash against San Marino in Serravalle.
The Dutchman would’ve gone over his pencil in permanent marker after Hojlund fired Denmark ahead on the stroke of half-time with a beautiful strike into the roof of the hosts’ net.
But just four days until that meeting with the Blades in Yorkshire, Ten Hag could have reason for concern after the emergence of worrying comments from Denmark captain Simon Kjaer.
Hojlund was making a nuisance of himself throughout the match and seemed set to play the full duration until 75th-minute substitute Roberto Di Maio nailed a sharp knee into the 20-year-old’s back late on.
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He was subsequently replaced by Mathias Jensen in injury time, wincing in pain after the nasty challenge that earned Di Maio – who was nowhere near the ball – a yellow card.
And after full-time, Kjaer, in a post-match interview, fumed at Denmark’s lowly opponents, claiming he overheard San Marino players telling each other to ‘go for Hojlund’s knees’.
The AC Milan star, 34, also claimed that he informed Ukrainian referee Viktor Kopiievskyi about San Marino’s alleged dangerous orders, but they were ignored.
Di Maio dealt the needless blow to Hojlund’s back in the dying embers, sparking major worries over damage among United supporters.
Hojlund joined United in a £72million deal from Atalanta in early August, but he had to wait until September to make his debut after arriving with a minor back problem.
The same issue flaring up due to Di Maio’s dangerous challenge would prove disastrous for Ten Hag, already under mounting pressure amid a woeful start to his second campaign.
United have lost six of their opening 11 games, but Hojlund has provided some respite for fans, showing promising signs of a top-class centre forward that has been missed at Old Trafford for years.
Take the promising Dane out of the equation, and Ten Hag’s attacking options look a great deal less enticing. He will no doubt pray that Hojlund returns to Carrington this week still in contention.
