Milan wait as Man United send Hojlund message during 1-1 Fiorentina friendly | OneFootball

Manchester United sent a ‘strong message’ to Milan-linked centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund by leaving him on the bench for the entirety of the club’s pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on Saturday afternoon, reports suggest.

United were held to a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in what was both sides’ last pre-season friendly of their respective summer schedules.

Goals from Simon Sohm and a Robin Gosens own goal came before a penalty shoot-out, which United won 5-4 thanks to an Altay Bayindir save on Fabiano Parisi.

What role Hojlund played in Man United 1-1 Fiorentina

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 30: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

While United boss Ruben Amorim used his final pre-season test to observe his new signings in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, there was no room for Hojlund, who has been linked with a move to join Milan this summer.

The Denmark international remained an unused substitute for the full duration of the Fiorentina friendly.

As per Fabrizio Romano, this was a ‘strong message’ from United, who have recently opened up to the idea of sending Hojlund out on loan to Milan with an option to buy.

BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Milan, who are looking for a new striker to compete with Santiago Gimenez – the only senior centre-forward on the club’s books – have been informed that it will take a fee of around €6m plus an option to buy clause in the region of €40m to strike a deal for Hojlund this window.

The Rossoneri will also need to cover the player’s salary in full, but this is less of an issue compared to one of their other attacking targets, Dusan Vlahovic, who earns around four times as much as Hojlund on their current deals.