Owen Backs Hojlund Return to United: Give Him 'Fair Crack' After Squad's Struggles

Michael Owen reckons Rasmus Hojlund deserves a second bite at the cherry at Manchester United, suggesting the club should pursue the striker's return during the upcoming transfer window.

United splashed out around £72m—with an initial £64m upfront—to prise Hojlund away from Atalanta back in summer 2023. After an encouraging first campaign at Old Trafford, the 23-year-old became something of a passenger during 2024/25 and was subsequently shipped out on loan.

The Danish forward joined Napoli on a temporary deal last summer with a £43m purchase clause attached, and has since rediscovered his mojo in Serie A. Reports now suggest a permanent switch to the Italian outfit is on the cards.

Yet Owen would rather see Hojlund given another go at United, particularly now that the club's machinery appears to be functioning properly. Speaking after United's 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday evening, the former striker laid out his reasoning to Premier League Productions.

"When your team isn't ticking over, it's incredibly difficult to properly assess any forward," Owen explained. "Strikers sit at the end of the production line—if everything upstream is broken, it's nigh on impossible to judge what they're genuinely capable of.

"I'd genuinely like to see what Hojlund can produce in better circumstances. He operated in a Manchester United side that was fundamentally broken, with no cohesion and sloppy football throughout. Who knows if he's actually a top player? He's certainly flourishing in Italy right now.

"Sesko's in a similar boat—tricky to evaluate when the whole system is dysfunctional. But now that the chain's working properly, you're witnessing an entirely different calibre of performer.

"There's potentially been enormous waste over the years. Everyone bangs on about poor recruitment, and fair enough, but some players simply haven't received a fair crack because they weren't getting the ammunition."

Louis Saha, who wore the United shirt himself, echoes the sentiment that an attacking reinforcement should be on the summer agenda. The former forward has identified two key positions that demand attention, however.

"Midfield overhaul is essential if we're moving on from Casemiro, but we need someone genuinely commanding—the sort who'll boss it right across the pitch," Saha told Ozoon. "Think Declan Rice's profile: someone with that physical dominance and all-round quality.

"On the striker front, Benjamin Sesko's a talented lad with serious potential, but we need a different breed of number nine alongside him. Those are the two areas I'd be zeroing in on."