Manchester United could have one ace up their sleeve in the pursuit of in-demand striker, Hugo Ekitike.
A rebuild job is in the hands of Ruben Amorim this summer as the Man United manager looks to bounce back from a dismal 2024/25 campaign.
Amorim arrived in Manchester in November 2024 after Erik ten Hag was sacked, but only saw the club’s fortunes turn for the worse, with a run to the Europa League final doing little to overshadow a 15th-placed Premier League finish – the lowest the club have ever finished.
Goals were a real problem for the Red Devils as neither one of Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee were prolific enough, and their teammates not much better either.
United want to do business quickly and have already signed Matheus Cunha. Ekitike is reportedly on their radar and as they allegedly prepare to do battle with some Premier League rivals for his signature, there may be one thing that convinces him to come to Old Trafford.
Hugo Ekitike grew up as a Man United fan
Love for a club early in life can stick with footballers just and Manchester United could be given a huge boost in their bid to sign Ekitike after it emerged that he grew up as a United fan.
Ekitike revealed his fondness for the Red Devils in an interview with German broadcaster RTL in December 2024, and his quotes have resurfaced courtesy of Florian Plettenberg after transfer links with United intensified.
“My favourite club as a child was Manchester United,” Ekitike said. “I’ve always admired them.”
As United attempt to do battle with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea for the 22-year-old, this information could give them a major advantage. Their project may not be as appealing as those of their rivals due to a lack of European football, but Ekitike may see an opportunity to bring a club he loves back to where they feel they belong.
Is Hugo Ekitike an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund?
Rasmus Hojlund struggled in front of goal last season as United’s first-choice striker, but it is important to compare the circumstances in which Hojlund arrived at the club with those currently surrounding Ekitike.
The stats would suggest Ekitike is a more prolific goalscorer, with his 22 goals in all competitions last season comfortably more than the Man United forward amassed.
Ekitike struggled at PSG the season prior, though, going out on an initial loan to Eintracht Frankfurt in January, while Hojlund enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career in his first year at United.
| Season | Hugo Ekitike goals | Rasmus Hojlund goals |
| 2024/25 | 22 | 10 |
| 2023/24 | 4 | 16 |
A similarity between the two exists, in that Ekitike has only had one season playing at the top of his game, just as Hojlund had when he was signed. It remains to be seen whether he would adapt to the jump in pressure between Frankfurt and Man United.