Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has emphasized that the team’s new signing, Rasmus Højlund, will not be rushed into action ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday.
The striker will be unavailable for Wolves’ visit to Old Trafford due to a back injury he sustained before his move from Atalanta.
“We are not in a hurry,” Ten Hag stated. “We understand that even without him, we have a strong team and the position is adequately covered. Therefore, we won’t rush his involvement. The priority is to ensure he reaches the appropriate fitness level—the initial fitness—before integrating him into training and eventually into matches. We are exercising patience.”
He underlined, “This moment is not just about winning; it’s about achieving success in the long term.”
In Højlund’s absence, Marcus Rashford is expected to return as the central striker, despite Jadon Sancho also featuring in the same position during the preseason matches.
Additionally, Anthony Martial is once again at Ten Hag’s disposal, having recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of action throughout the summer fixtures.
Regarding this situation, Ten Hag expressed his calmness, stating, “I remain composed given the circumstances. Rashy has showcased his prowess as a striker—a role he excels in. With Anthony Martial back and Jadon Sancho’s impressive preseason performance, we have constructed a squad that can handle this situation. Our approach is not hasty; it’s rooted in a deliberate strategy.”