Just when the season had hit its most optimistic point for Manchester United, the cruelest of injury blows was handed out to star striker Rasmus Hojlund.

After a difficult start to life in the Premier League, failing to score in England’s top flight until Boxing Day despite finding success in Europe, the Danish forward has been on a tear recently. Hojlund has silenced his doubters with a stunning run of form, scoring seven goals in his last six games in all competitions, including a double in his last match at Luton Town.

Having become one the most owned forwards in Fantasy Premier League thanks to his displays, Hojlund now needs to be shipped out by FPL managers with a return to action scheduled for two to three weeks.

Here are some of the top forward replacements for Hojlund to target ahead of FPL Gameweek 26.

If you’ve not jumped on the Ollie Watkins bandwagon by now, where have you been for the last two seasons?

The England international is Aston Villa’s battering ram up front and is enjoying a wonderfully prolific campaign both in front of goal and assisting his teammates. Last week’s 13-point haul at Fulham followed up an 18-point showing at Sheffield United, having blanked against Man Utd in between.

There’s a price gap of £1.5m between Watkins and Hojlund right now, so some shuffling may be needed to draft in the Villans forward if he’s not in your team already.

You’ll also need some spare dough lying around to draft in Brentford’s Ivan Toney to replace Hojlund, with the Bees striker currently costing £8.2m.

Toney loves a big occasion and has three London derbies on the horizon, starting with a visit to a struggling West Ham side on Monday night. The 27-year-old has scored in his last two games against the Irons and came out of his double gameweek with a goal in the defeat to Liverpool to show for it.

A home fixture with Chelsea in Gameweek 27 could definitely reward managers who opt for Toney, with the Blues often leaky in defence away from home.

Looking to free up some funds to splash elsewhere? Bringing in Brighton attacker Danny Welbeck for Hojlund at just £5.7m would do just that.

The former Arsenal striker has been a regular inclusion in Roberto De Zerbi’s starting lineup in recent weeks, with his chances of game time boosted by the injury suffered by Joao Pedro.

Welbeck was successful last time out as he netted in the 5-0 rout of Sheffield United and his upcoming fixtures are kind, taking on Everton at home in Gameweek 26 before clashes with Fulham and Nottingham Forest.

A home fixture with Manchester City is hardly a ‘gimme’ fixture for Bournemouth and Dominic Solanke. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a worthwhile investment this week.

Already owned by 19.7% of FPL players, the former Chelsea youngster will be licking his lips ahead of clashes with Burnley and Sheffield United at the start of March.

Reigning league champions Manchester City are more susceptible on the road than at home, conceding 15 goals in 12 away league games so far this season, so there’s every chance Solanke follows up his 12-point showing against Newcastle last week with another good showing against the 2022/23 treble winners.