Player asks manager to not play him for full duration due to injury concerns

Lars Knudsen, the caretaker manager for the Danish national team, recently received a message from Rasmus Hojlund, the talented striker for Manchester United. In the message, Hojlund expressed his concerns about playing a full 90 minutes against Spain during their upcoming international match. This is due to his recent struggles with hamstring injuries, which have limited his playing time for the Red Devils.

Hojlund has missed the first four Premier League games of the season and has only made five appearances in all competitions so far in the 2024-25 season. As he prepares to face the European champions on Saturday, the 21-year-old has decided to prioritize his health over playing time. In his own words, "There is no point in rushing things and risking another injury. My body feels good again, but if I also use my brain a little bit, I don't think 90 minutes on Saturday against Spain is a good idea."

Despite his young age, Hojlund has become an important player for his country, scoring seven goals in 18 appearances. However, his focus right now is on getting himself back to full fitness for United. The team is set to face Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19, and Hojlund wants to be in top form for the match.

It's been a tough start to the season for United, who have only won two of their first seven Premier League games. This has put their manager, Erik ten Hag, under significant pressure, with rumors swirling that he could soon lose his job. Injuries have also been piling up for the team, with Lisandro Martinez reportedly carrying a knock and several other players withdrawing from their respective national teams due to injury.

One such player is Hojlund's teammate, Alejandro Garnacho, who pulled out of the Argentina squad on Monday with a knee problem. Another is Kobbie Mainoo, who withdrew from the England squad. Amad Diallo, another United player, has also returned to Manchester early from the Ivory Coast camp due to injury. These mounting injury concerns have only added to the challenges facing the team.

As United continues to navigate through a difficult start to the season, fans are eagerly awaiting updates on the health of their players and the future of their manager. Stay tuned for more news, exclusives, and analysis on Manchester United.

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