Rasmus Hojlund has been left out of the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s Premier League game with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
It is understood coach Ruben Amorim took the decision amid intense speculation over the 22-year-old’s future.
While the Denmark striker has previously expressed a strong desire to remain at United, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73.7m means his opportunities are likely to be severely restricted.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana was also omitted from United’s league opener despite recovering from a hamstring injury that had ruled him out of the club’s pre-season campaign.
“He recovered but the other guys did so well in pre-season, so I have to balance that,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
Hojlund was left on the bench for the final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on 9 August, even though Sesko’s only involvement was to be paraded before kick-off as Mason Mount occupied a false nine slot.
Mount will again start in that role, with Sesko and fellow striker Joshua Zirkzee on the bench against the Gunners.
AC Milan are one of the sides keen to sign Hojlund, although, as yet, there is no agreement in place.