Rasmus Hojlund: Manchester United striker out injured for 'two to three weeks', set to miss derby with City

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund will miss next weekend’s Manchester derby after he was ruled out for up to three weeks through injury.

The Denmark international has been in sensational form of late, scoring seven goals in six Premier League games since Boxing Day.

“Rasmus Hojlund will miss Manchester United’s Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday due to a muscle injury,” said a club statement.

“It is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks.”

Erik ten Hag will be without his in-form striker for the visit of Fulham, a trip to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and a clash at title-challenging rivals City on Sunday, March 3.

Depending on how quickly he recovers, league games at home to Everton and Sheffield United could also be at risk.

Marcus Rashford, typically deployed on the left flank, could be asked to fill in as a centre-forward in Hojlund’s absence, with United’s other striker Anthony Martial also injured.

The injury is a big blow for Hojlund after he finally ended a long Premier League goal drought to find his feet at Old Trafford in his debut season following last summer’s move from Atalanta.

It took the 21-year-old until a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day to score his first league goal for the club, but since then he hasn’t gone a Premier League match without scoring and has also contributed two assists.

Hojlund’s total in all competitions this season is 13 goals in 30 games.

United are in need of their marksman as they look to climb into the top four in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Ten Hag’s side currently sit sixth in the standings, five points behind fourth-placed Villa.

Their rivals City are second with a 12-point advantage as the second Manchester derby of the season approaches.

The first ended in a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford in October.

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