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It is unfortunate that Rasmus Højlund has struggled to reach his potential at Old Trafford, but could a fresh start at another Premier League side spark his revival?
After a frustrating 2024–25 season, in which he scored only four goals in 32 league games, doubts persist over whether the Manchester United number nine has what it takes to lead the 20-time English champions back to glory.
Head coach Rúben Amorim is understood to be targeting a reliable goalscorer to spearhead his project.
Wastefulness in front of goal undermined the Portuguese tactician’s debut campaign, and there is a growing belief that solving United’s attacking puzzle could finally see his project come together.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, operating as the number tens, alongside an upgrade on Højlund up front, are expected to form the backbone of United’s new-look attack next season.
Højlund: the biggest casualty of United’s rebuild?
If Højlund stays put at the Theatre of Dreams as he has hinted he could, he may be the biggest casualty of the Red Devil’s attacking overhaul.
He may need to consider his options, and fortunately for him, Stan Collymore has pointed to what could be his ideal next chapter.
While he has been linked with a return to the Serie A (where he impressed with Atalanta), Collymore is urging Aston Villa to swoop in.
Writing in his Caught Offside column, the former Liverpool forward advised the £72 million summer 2023 Erik Ten Hag recruit to move away from the Theatre of Dreams.
There is reported interest in him from Italian heavyweights Inter Milan and Napoli, but Collymore believes Højlund’s ideal destination lies closer to Manchester.
Specifically, the former Premier League star suggests Aston Villa should consider signing him.
Why so? He believes the Midlands club can afford the transfer fee (through a bid and tempting add-ons) and that wages would not be a stumbling block.
Additionally, With Ollie Watkins linked with a move away from Villa Park, the pundit packages Højlund as a perfect replacement.
He acknowledges it may have been too soon for the 22-year-old to join United but insists the striker still has all the tools to reach his potential if only he can be filled with confidence.
Collymore on Højlund, Villa, and Watkins
“Rasmus Højlund, as a young man in his early twenties, is aching for somebody to put their arm around him. This is the bit of the development process that you should have had,” said Collymore.
“He should have gone to someone like Aston Villa first, scored you 25 goals, and then gone to Manchester United two or three years down the line.
“He’s still a very young man. I really like him as a striker — I think he’s got the basic attributes. But he went to Manchester United, and it’s basically completely shattered his confidence.
“If you’re looking at a deal that includes the transfer fee and wages, Aston Villa could afford both. In Villa’s financial position, £25 million plus add-ons and a wage package that doesn’t exceed their structure would be favourable.
“If Ollie Watkins were to go, they could do a lot worse than to look at Rasmus Højlund.”
Højlund’s Serie A links cool
Whether Aston Villa pursue Højlund in their quest to bolster their attack remains to be seen.
But they are clearly in need of attacking reinforcements.
Rumours persist that they would jump at the chance to sign Marcus Rashford; that, plus the fact that John Durán departed last winter, his replacement is yet to arrive, suggests so.
If Villa turns to Højlund, who is available for around £43 million, they may benefit from recent reports suggesting Inter Milan are no longer keen on his services.
Meanwhile, Napoli, who were previously linked, are now said to be prioritising other targets, including Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez.
That said, United have been linked with Watkins. A swap deal (Hojlund for Watkins) would not be the worst transfer decision for both sides.
Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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