Rúben Amorim is already facing significant backlash after Manchester United backed many of his decisions in the summer transfer market.
Manchester United’s 2025 summer transfer window saw a major revamp in attack, with Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško, and Bryan Mbeumo arriving for just under £200 million.
Rúben Amorim further added to his squad with the signings of young left-back Diego Leon and goalkeeper Senne Lammens for an extra £20 million, though the absence of a midfield recruit raised eyebrows.
On the departures front, United generated £61.5 million in sales, with Alejandro Garnacho making a shock switch to Chelsea and Antony moving to Real Betis.
The club also arranged loan spells for Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho, while several Academy prospects were handed temporary opportunities to gain experience elsewhere.
Højlund already being hailed at Napoli
Højlund joined Napoli toward the end of the transfer window on a season-long loan, with Napoli retaining the option to sign him for £38 million. However, if the club qualify for the Champions League next season, this turns into an obligation.
Højlund took 14 fixtures to score his first league goal for United, but it took just 14 minutes for him to do the same for Napoli, scoring on his Serie A debut for the side in a 3-1 away win over David de Gea’s Fiorentina.
With striker Romelu Lukaku injured, the Danish international is expected to start as Napoli travel to face Manchester City in the Champions League, with former Red, Scott McTominay, also expected to play alongside ex-City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
In Italy, a lot is already being made about Højlund’s arrival in Naples. Local outlet Il Mattino have published an article dubbing him the “boy of truth”, noting that he has already scored on his Champions League debut for United while also scoring in his previous debuts for former clubs Atalanta and Sturm Graz.
At the same time, former Napoli midfielder Ivano Trotta recently dubbed Højlund an “extraordinary player” with “incredible qualities”, questioning whether United made a mistake letting him go.
Højlund could hit final nail in Amoirm’s coffin
Højlund and his Napoli cohort are set to play on the same turf where Amorim’s men were thoroughly beaten by Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden combining to put three past Altay Bayındır.
But, with Højlund set to start for his new club back at the Etihad Stadium, a quality performance from the Dane could hit a signifiacnt nail in the coffin of anger that’s surrounding Amorim and his side’s poor performances.
United’s replacement for Højlund, Šeško, actually played quite well against City, but was starved of service, with many of United’s crosses sailing over the 6’5″ striker’s head, despite one of his best abilities being his leap.
The club backed all of Amorim’s decision with decisiveness and venom. Still, if Højlund were to thrive against Premier League opponents previously deemed too high a level for him to compete with, this would throw the United head coach’s judgment into further doubt.
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