RASMUS HOJLUND could be offered a potential escape route from his Manchester United debacle by former club Atalanta.
And that could see a partial swap deal bringing back to the Premier League.
The Danish striker is suffering from the “curse of the centre-forward”; and experiencing a nightmare campaign.
’s season of hell has seen him score just three goals and eight in 45 appearances in all competitions.
Indeed, aside from last season’s spell which saw him net seven goals across a six-game Prem scoring streak, he has just six other top flight goals across 52 matches.
Since scoring his only top-flight goal since early December in last month’s win at doomed he has suffered another six match drought.
And the £72million signing endured the ultimate ego blow when hooked him after a fruitless 87 minutes of the quarter-final second leg against to send centre-back up front in his place.
Despite that, Hojlund, 22, remains a firm favourite among the Atalanta supporters and the side are ready to make a move in the summer if decide to cut their losses.
There is also interest from clubs in Germany, but Atalanta believe Hojlund, described by former England skipper as a “damaged player”; after the weekend defeat by Wolves, would be open-minded to a return to the club where he made his name.
Atalanta scouts have watched his recent matches and remain in touch with the players' representatives, who ensured he left the club on good terms two years ago.
But an extra element in any deal could involve former , and Leicester wideman Lookman, who is keen to return to England after three successful seasons in Italy.
The London-born winger, 27, who opted to play for Nigeria despite winning 11 England Under-21 caps, is thought to be open to a move to Old Trafford.
A player plus cash swap would help United’s PSR position as they would otherwise have to agree a £38m fee this summer to avoid an accounts book “loss”;.
MC IS PLAN B
United are making fall-back transfer plans in case they fail to land Wolves’ Brazilian hitman .
While interest in the £62.5m Molineux man is concrete, Old Trafford powerbrokers are determined not to throw all their eggs into the Brazilian basket.
Feelers have already gone out for both and fellow south coast man , set to leave after their relegation to the .
Although neither is top of the list, United are seeking to refresh the profile and financial make-up of their squad after ’s public complaints about overpaid and underperforming players.
That is despite the prospect of a £100m-plus black hole in income next term unless the club wins the to qualify for a return.
Another potential recruit, Ipswich’s England under-21 striker , is keen to get his future settled before he heads off to play for Lee Carsley’s side in this summer’s European Championship in Slovakia, where the Young Lions face Czech Republic, Germany and Slovenia in the group stage.
Suggestions of a serious move for Nigerian , who has scored 27 goals this season on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, are being played down by United insiders, suggesting the push is coming from the player’s end rather than Old Trafford – although it is not entirely ruled out.
, though, is understood to believe there is no need for further recruitment at centre-half, despite the imminent departures of out of contract and .
The future of keeper , though, remains very much in the air despite an internal wish for the shot-stopper to prove his doubters wrong.
Onana’s foolish was compounded by the two errors that saw him but he was not blamed for any of the goals in the second leg drama or Wolves’ winning free-kick on Sunday.
A NEW SIGNING?
Meanwhile, on Easter Sunday.
The Brazilian was targeted by the autograph hunters and selfie-seekers who traditionally gather outside the Theatre of Dreams after games.
Cunha was obliging – getting into the habit in case he makes it his permanent home in the summer.
Several family members also made the trip to watch him and his father Carmelo was also asked for pictures by enthusiastic United fans.
NAME CHANGE
Anyone covering United games recently will have noticed a new name on the team-sheet. That’s because you can hardly miss it.
January signing has asked for ‘Chinazaekpere’ to be included in the middle – making life slightly more complicated for reporters and commentators.
The name hails from the Igbo region in Nigeria and is important to the Denmark international’s family – as it means ‘God answers prayers’
Will he answer the prayers of Dorgu and United fans in the Europa League semi-finals next week though?
END OF THE ROAD?
United are currently weighing up whether to take the four players whose contracts expire this summer on their controversial end-of-season tour to the Far East.
Jonny Evans, , Victor Lindelof and will all be saying their goodbyes to Old Trafford on the final day of the season when Aston Villa are the visitors.
Yet all those travelling to Hong Kong and Malaysia will be quickly herded off to Manchester airport to take part in the two match trip, which is expected to net the club around £10m.
Given all four players are unlikely to ever pull on a United shirt again for a competitive game, it seems slightly pointless.
COMEBACK KINGS?
Red Devils fans should not despair if they find themselves behind again in their Europa League semi-final – just as they did on that famous night against Lyon.
Opponents Athletic Bilbao are coached by former boss Ernesto Valverde – who has been on the wrong end of two of the most famous European comebacks in recent times.
He was Barcelona coach when stormed back from a 4-1 first leg deficit to win the return leg 3-0 in the Italian capital in 2018.
And a year later he watched as and Co somehow squandered a 3-0 lead from the first leg in a disastrous night at Anfield.
The veteran coach will not relax until the final whistle goes at Old Trafford on May 8.
