Rasmus Hojlund injury highlights Sir Jim Ratcliffe's urgent priority at Manchester United

A quick chat before a pat on the back from Erik ten Hag and that was Rasmus Hojlund's afternoon over, straight down the tunnel and into the home dressing room at Old Trafford.

Hojlund's 79 minutes on the pitch against Luton Town played out much like the 568 in the Premier League beforehand. He held onto the ball well, took up some excellent positions but spurned good chances and limped off the pitch with his head bowed in frustration.

United are yet to provide a clear update on Hojlund's injury, and their unusually opaque approach to such matters mean it is unlikely fans will get more than 'a few weeks' or 'an extended period of time' to stew over. The fact he was holding his hamstring was enough to concern even the most optimistic inside Old Trafford.

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Ten Hag has been careful not to overplay Hojlund and has often done so to the frustration of supporters. Substitutions with United level or a goal down have been met with jeers and groans but the manager is conscious of the bigger picture.

Hojlund is still only 20 years old and arrived in Manchester with a pretty serious injury in a very serious area of the body. Stress fractures tend to present as a symptom of over-working and the one in his back meant an absence for the first month of his Reds career.

This week was only the second in which Hojlund has played 70-plus minutes three times in a week and he ended it hobbling down the tunnel with a hamstring injury. United might not make it into the Champions League knockout stages but three-game weeks will keep coming.

United hadn't originally planned to spend in the January transfer window after Ten Hag