Manchester United confirmed their 25-man squad for the 2023/24 Premier League season on their official website. Something that surprised many fans is that regular first-team starter Alejandro Garnacho and this summer’s most expensive signing of the Red Devils Rasmus Hojlund are out of the list. What is the reason behind this?

Manchester United announced on their social media and on their website their 25 registered players to compete in the 2023/24 Premier League.

Six of the Red Devils’ summer signings are present, including Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and loan signings Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon.

Many Red Devils fans looking at the list have been asking themselves the same question: Where is the promising former Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund who joined Ten Hag’s team this summer for a reported £72 million? Moreover, Alejandro Garnacho, who has become a regular starter in the first team, is also not among those 25 players shortlisted by the Old Trafford outfit.

Well, this choice of players consists only of those who are over 21 years of age. According to Premier League rules, those born on or after 1 January 2002 don’t need to be registered and clubs are permitted to use as many Under-21 players as they like during games.

That is why both the Argentinian winger and the Danish striker do not appear in the 25-man squad. Hojlund is still just 20 years of age and therefore does not count towards the limit while Alejandro Garnacho is also under the age threshold.

This is the full Man Utd 25-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Sergio Reguilon, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri, Donny van de Beek.

Forwards: Antony, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho.