“He is not going to be playing against Crystal Palace this evening. I have my reasons and I know he has been performing well but getting to play every time has gotten into his head. So he’s staying on the bench for his own good” – This is according to the Manager of Manchester United as he keeps ‘Unbelievable’ Manchester United star on the bench against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund is back in the squad for Saturday night's Premier League match against Crystal Palace, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund is back in the squad for Saturday night’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils aim to secure their third consecutive win this season, following a 3-0 victory over Southampton and a 7-0 thrashing of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford earlier in the week.
Manager Erik ten Hag returns to the scene of last season’s 4-0 defeat but has received a significant boost with Højlund, their £72 million signing, fit to be included in the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Højlund Set to Return After Injury
The Danish international is expected to start on the bench.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Denmark international Rasmus Højlund returned to first-team training for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season match against Arsenal, where he also scored in his debut appearance of the summer.
Højlund has missed all Premier League and EFL Cup matches since, with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee filling in as striker options, delivering solid performances in his absence.
However, after losses to Brighton and Liverpool this season, Erik ten Hag will be pleased to have his number nine available for the first time, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that Højlund is expected to be on the bench for Saturday’s game at Selhurst Park.
Rasmus Højlund joined Manchester United from Atalanta in a deal worth up to £72 million last summer. Despite a challenging start at Old Trafford, he finished the season as the club’s top scorer across all competitions with 16 goals.
Now wearing the number nine shirt as a sign of the club’s confidence in him, Højlund is eager to return to the team and continue his development, aiming to establish himself as the first-choice striker amid stiff competition in Erik ten Hag’s attacking lineup.
**Højlund’s Premier League Stats for 2023/24:**
– Appearances: 30
– Goals: 10
– Assists: 2
– Shots per 90: 1.58
– Key passes per 90: 1.17
– Successful take-ons per 90: 0.75