Manchester United confirm new No9 as pre-season tour begins

Manchester United confirmed Rasmus Hojlund as the club’s new No9 as the club announced their squad for a pre-season tour of the USA.

The Red Devils are joining the likes of Premier League rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea by jetting out to America, where they face the Gunners at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Erik ten Hag’s side then meet LaLiga outfit Real Betis at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium next Wednesday, before their three-match trip concludes with a blockbuster showdown against fierce rivals Liverpool at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, North Carolina next weekend.

FA Cup holders United then face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10, before beginning the new campaign at home to Fulham six days later.

Hojlund had become their new No9, switching from the No11 he took on following his £72m transfer from Atalanta last summer to inherit the shirt recently vacated by the departure of Anthony Martial following the end of his contract.

The Danish international, 21, netted 16 goals in 43 total appearances across all competitions during a promising if sometimes inconsistent first campaign in Manchester.

Erik Ten Hag’s 29-man squad for the pre-season tour was also confirmed, with teenage defender Leny Yoro included after making a swift United debut in last weekend’s Amad Diallo-inspired 2-0 win over Rangers at Murrayfield having completed a £52million move from French side Lille.

However, fans will have to wait a little longer to see fellow new signing Joshua Zirkzee in action, with the £36.5m arrival from Bologna currently on holiday following the Netherlands’ run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Altay Bayindir are similarly on holiday following their respective international exertions this summer at either the European Championship or Copa America tournament.

Also absent from the tour is Tyrell Malacia, whom United say is “continuing his rehabilitation from injury under the guidance of medical staff at Carrington”.

Manchester United pre-season squad

GOALKEEPERS

Tom Heaton
Demot Mee
Andre Onana
Radek Vitek

DEFENDERS

Harry Amass
Rhys Bennett
Jonny Evans
Will Fish
Victor Lindelof
Harry Maguire
Sam Murray
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Leny Yoro

MIDFIELDERS

Casemiro
Toby Collyer
Christian Eriksen
Hannibal
Jack Fletcher
Sam Mather
Scott McTominay
Mason Mount
Maxi Oyedele
James Scanlon

FORWARDS

Antony
Amad
Rasmus Hojlund
Marcus Rashford
Jadon Sancho
Ethan Wheatley