Rasmus Hojlund has joined Napoli on an initial loan deal that could become a permanent transfer if certain conditions are met.
Rasmus Hojlund signed for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag in 2023, joining a side that had just finished in third place and won the Carabao Cup in the manager’s first season.
Unfortunately for Hojlund, the Red Devils dropped off the face of the Earth next season as they fell to eighth place in the Premier League, but rescued the season with an FA Cup win against Manchester City.
While he did struggle at times, Hojlund looked promising and scored important goals for United in the Champions League, with five goals in six matches in the competition.
That was as good as it got for the Dane at United, as he scored just 10 goals last season, despite playing 52 matches across all competitions.
Hojlund has now joined Napoli on a loan deal with a buy-option that can become mandatory if certain conditions are met during his time in Italy.
United staff thought Hojlund treatment was unfair
After Hojlund’s move to Napoli was confirmed, Melissa Reddy – an ex-Sky Sports reporter – took to X (formerly Twitter) to wish the former Atalanta striker the best, as she revealed what United’s staff really thought about Hojlund.
“His attitude, training application and professionalism was always first rate,” said Reddy. “And even at the height of his struggles, he was never a negative influence nor a problem. He was actually an encouraging, supportive and ‘kind voice’.
“Some of the coaches felt his biggest problem was he was too desperate to do well for Manchester United and would snatch at chances, plus rush his decision-making; he was often starved of service and confidence.
“Some felt it was unfair to place the goalscoring burden on a 20-year-old after being too afraid to try for Harry Kane,” as United were heavily linked to the then Tottenham Hotspur striker before they signed Hojlund.
Reddy continued: “Hojlund was not it, but there is currency in the way he carried himself, never stopped trying and demanded more of himself – especially at a club where culture has been major trouble.”
United have learnt from Hojlund error with Šeško
Many similarities can be made between Hojlund and Benjamin Šeško, as they both joined United at a young age, with the expectation that they would lead the line from the outset. However, the Red Devils have learnt from their Hojlund error.
The new signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – who both scored over 15 goals last season – join United with the expectation of leading United’s goal-scoring ranks, while Šeško joined later as an added bonus.
With Cunha and Mbeumo playing behind him, Šeško has time to settle into life in Manchester and Rúben Amorim’s system before being required to be a leading goal scorer.
Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee will also be able to fill in with goals if Šeško is struggling, but he has already shown he could become a great player; he just needs time. Time that Hojlund didn’t have.
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