REVEALED: Rasmus Hojlund is battling a back injury that will limit his early season playing time for Man United – with the problem more serious than the club revealed after sealing the striker’s £72m deal

Rasmus Hojlund, the new Manchester United signing for £72 million, is battling a back injury which is likely to limit his playing time at the start of the season.

Mail Sport has learned that an MRI scan performed last week as part of the Danish striker’s medical examination revealed a stress response hot spot in his back, which could be the start of stress fractures in young players.

Hojlund was introduced to United fans before kick-off at Old Trafford ahead of a pre-season friendly against Lens last Saturday, although it may be a while before they see him in action.

The 20-year-old has already been ruled out of appearing for Erik Ten Hag’s side in their first two games of the season against Wolves and Tottenham, with some sources at United indicating the problem is more serious than the club disclosed after completing his contract. transferred from Atalanta last week.

United’s official report was that Hojland would take several weeks to be match fit due to a minor pre-season problem with Atalanta, but did not elaborate on the nature of the injury.

However, Mail Sport have learned that the back problem was picked up during his medical, leading to Hojland being sent for an MRI, although clubs seeking a second opinion are not uncommon on a transfer of that magnitude.

Marcus Rashford missed several months of the Covid-interrupted 2019-20 season after suffering a double stress fracture in his back, but Hojlund’s has not yet reached that stage and the club are confident he can return to full fitness.

United is convinced that after intensive research during Hojlund’s medical treatment, there is no fundamental problem with his back and he just needs a period of rest.

United’s initial response to last week’s MRI was to give Hojlund more time to improve his fitness and to reassure the player that he is a long-term asset and will not rush into the squad.

However, medical sources outside the club have told Mail Sport that such injuries need to be treated carefully and have suggested that Hojlund is unlikely to be able to play two games a week for some time for fear of developing a stress fracture, which would lead to long-term injury. dismissal.

Stress reaction hot spots are often suffered by athletes who have had a high workload at a young age, which is the case with the Hojlund.

After coming through the Academy at FC Copenhagen, he made his first-team debut aged 17 before being sold to Austrian club Sturm Graz in January 2022 and then to Atalanta for £15 million in August.

United paid nearly five times that amount just 12 months later amid competition from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan.

Ten Hag is hoping to build a new attack around Hojlund’s goal-scoring talent, with United handing him a five-year contract, including the option to extend for a further 12 months.

United declined to comment.