Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund has spoken candidly about his summer departure from Manchester United and his subsequent rejuvenation with Serie A side Napoli.
A Fresh Start in Naples
The 22-year-old forward joined Napoli on a season-long loan deal in September, with the Italian club obligated to make the move permanent for £38 million next summer if specific performance clauses are met. This switch came after Manchester United informed Hojlund he was not part of their plans for the current campaign.
Hojlund's £72 million move to Old Trafford from Atalanta in 2023 had failed to ignite, yielding just four Premier League goals last season. However, his fortunes have transformed in Italy, where he has already netted seven times in 19 appearances across all competitions and clinched the Italian Super Cup earlier this month.
"When Conte Calls, You Say Yes"
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Hojlund explained that once Napoli's interest became concrete, his decision was swiftly made after conversations with club director Giovanni Manna and manager Antonio Conte.
"Manchester United had let me know that I wasn't in their plans for the season," Hojlund stated. "For me and for Napoli it was an opportunity: I wanted to wear the Azzurri shirt straight away. The first call with Conte was brief but very clear. We both knew it was the right step for me. When a coach like him calls you, you just have to say yes."
He added that while he has played many games for his age, he does not consider himself an experienced player yet and emphasised his desire to keep improving in all aspects, including learning Italian.
Following McTominay's Path and Setting High Standards
Hojlund is the second former Manchester United player to arrive in Naples in the past year, following Scott McTominay's £25.7 million transfer in August 2024. McTominay enjoyed a stellar debut season, winning Serie A and being crowned the league's Player of the Year.
The Denmark international revealed he sought advice from his former teammate about the club and the city, which helped solidify his choice. "We're at different stages of our careers. I'm young and I need to play, and this was a great opportunity for me," Hojlund noted.
Determined to maintain his upward trajectory, the striker concluded: "I like to keep the bar high. If you're complacent, you risk slacking off. I'm always trying to improve: in goals, in my play, in my personal growth." His adaptation is going well, though he joked that mastering the Neapolitan dialect remains a separate challenge altogether.
