Rasmus Hojlund’s fast start at Napoli after his loan move has sparked mixed reactions from Manchester United players. Despite his struggles at Old Trafford, United’s squad has shown support for the striker, with some even engaging with his social media posts as he begins to thrive in Serie A.
Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Manchester United to Napoli has already yielded exciting results, as the Danish striker made an immediate impact in Serie A following his loan switch. After a troubled stint at Old Trafford, where he struggled to meet expectations, Hojlund has quickly found his form in Napoli, scoring a crucial goal in his debut match against Fiorentina.
Hojlund’s Manchester United Struggles
Hojlund’s arrival at Manchester United in 2023 was met with high expectations, especially after the club shelled out a £72 million fee to bring him in from Atalanta. However, his time in the Premier League proved to be a struggle. Despite the hefty price tag, the 22-year-old only managed to score 26 goals in 95 appearances, which was well below the expected return for a player of his caliber.
Hojlund’s lack of consistency and inability to deliver when it mattered saw him fall out of favor under Ruben Amorim, with the striker even dropping down the pecking order. After his difficult time at United, a loan move to Serie A champions Napoli seemed to be a fresh start for Hojlund. Napoli secured a deal with the option to buy, contingent on their Champions League qualification, giving the striker the perfect platform to showcase his potential.
A Fresh Start in Naples
It didn’t take long for Rasmus Hojlund to make an impact in Italy. In his first match for Napoli, he scored within 14 minutes, giving a glimpse of the player that had once promised so much at Atalanta. His performance against Fiorentina has reignited hope that the talented striker can live up to his early potential.
The early success in Naples stands in stark contrast to his difficult time in England, where he often struggled to find his rhythm. With Antonio Conte now at the helm in Naples, Hojlund looks set to thrive under a new system, one that seems more suited to his style of play.
Manchester United Players Rally Behind Hojlund
While fans at Manchester United may have mixed feelings about seeing their £72 million investment thriving elsewhere, Hojlund’s former teammates have shown nothing but support. Following his Instagram post after his debut, which read, “First day at the new job didn’t disappoint,” several United players took to social media to send encouraging messages.
Harry Maguire commented, “Love it mate,” while Antony, who is currently on loan at Real Betis, added applause emojis. Other United players, including Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, and even Matthijs de Ligt and Amorim’s summer signings, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, also showed their support by liking his post.
Redemption in Naples
Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles at Manchester United may not be easily forgotten, but Napoli has given him the perfect stage to rewrite his story. The striker’s confidence is growing, and his early success in Serie A has proven that there is still much more to come from him.
Hojlund’s next big test will come in the Champions League, when Napoli faces Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. A goal in that fixture would not only make headlines but would also solidify his transformation from a misfit at United to a genuine threat on the continental stage.
With Hojlund hitting form in Italy, many will be watching closely to see if he can continue to deliver for Napoli and show that his struggles at Manchester United were just a bump in the road.
