Ruben can see him for the fraud that he is. Ruben has identified the perfect replacement for him from Sporting” – Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Ruben Amorim is already facing a major challenge with Manchester United’s £72 million star. According to Ferdinand, the incoming United manager may have to make tough decisions regarding this high-profile player early in his tenure.

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand believes new manager Ruben Amorim may already be grappling with a potential challenge surrounding Rasmus Hojlund and United’s striker situation.

Amorim was confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor after a week of negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, with the Portuguese manager set to officially take over on November 11 following three more games with Sporting.

One of Amorim’s primary objectives upon arrival will be to boost a United side that has managed only eight goals in nine Premier League matches this season—only Crystal Palace and bottom-ranked Southampton have scored fewer.

Hojlund, who joined United for £72 million from Atalanta in 2023, had a strong debut season, scoring 16 goals in 43 matches. However, injuries have limited him to just 390 minutes this season, although he recently found the net in United’s 2-1 win over Brentford.

Ferdinand commented on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Hojlund could benefit under Amorim’s guidance, pointing to Amorim’s success with Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting.

Ferdinand also speculated that Amorim might look to bring Gyokeres, who has scored 59 goals and provided 19 assists for Sporting since moving from Coventry, to United, raising questions about Hojlund’s role if a new forward joins.

According to Ferdinand, “It’s going to be a big issue. Big, big decisions to be made over the coming months.”

Rio Ferdinand’s insights highlight a potential tactical dilemma awaiting new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who steps in on November 11. Amorim, known for his success with Sporting Lisbon, faces the immediate challenge of improving United’s underwhelming offensive record—just eight goals in nine league games, among the lowest in the Premier League.

Rasmus Hojlund, brought in for £72 million from Atalanta in 2023, had a promising debut season with 16 goals in 43 matches but has faced fitness issues this season, limiting his impact. His recent goal in United’s win over Brentford hints at his potential, but injuries have restricted his playtime, making him a complex variable in United’s attacking plans.

Ferdinand suggests that Hojlund could benefit from Amorim’s approach, as the manager has a proven track record with strikers, evidenced by Viktor Gyokeres’s prolific form at Sporting (59 goals, 19 assists). This success has sparked speculation about whether Amorim might bring Gyokeres to United, potentially putting Hojlund’s role in question. If Amorim seeks to enhance United’s attack with a proven scorer, Ferdinand sees significant decisions on the horizon that could reshape United’s forward line and Hojlund’s position within it.