Napoli midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has appeared to question the decision by Man Utd to allow Rasmus Hojlund to join the Serie A.
The Red Devils brought in Benjamin Sesko over the summer in a big deal from RB Leipzig with Hojlund falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
There was even less room in their forward line with the additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as Man Utd made a big effort to improve their attacking output.
Only four Premier League sides scored fewer goals than Man Utd last season with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee only scoring seven league goals in total.
Hojlund left for Serie A giants Napoli on a loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent for £38m in the summer and he’s already contributed three goals in five matches in all competitions.
The Denmark international bagged both goals in a 2-1 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday with Hojlund pleased to hit the ground running in Naples.
READ: Five reasons why Ratcliffe is right to pick Southgate as next Man Utd manager
Hojlund said: “I celebrated touching the Napoli badge because I’m happy to play here and the Champions League badge because I love to score in Europe.
“It was the night you dream of, playing in the Champions League. I don’t like to talk about my performance, but about the team.
“Playing with an exceptional talent like Kevin De Bruyne is special. I just need to get into space and he’ll get me the ball.”
De Bruyne, who also moved to Napoli in the summer, got both the assists for Hojlund’s goals and the Man City legend hinted that Man Utd have made a mistake to move the young striker on.
MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Who will be the next Man Utd manager if Ruben Amorim is sacked?
👉 Man Utd technical team ‘bemused’ by Ratcliffe pick to replace Amorim at Old Trafford
👉 New Chelsea star Alejandro Garnacho breaks silence on Ruben Amorim treatment at Man Utd
De Bruyne said of Hojlund: “Rasmus has a lot of quality and as a striker when you go forward you need that smell of goals.
“It’s really important for him and the team. It’s a great night for him and it’s going to help us get more goals with him.”
Napoli boss Antonio Conte said of their performance against Sporting: “Sporting are a good, strong team with many key players. To win is a big achievement.”
Sporting boss Rui Borges added: “I couldn’t be more proud. We were competitive in a great game.
“Players with the quality and experience of Kevin De Bruyne make a big difference. We are proud, not disappointed.
“We think game by game, so let’s see. Tonight we had chances we didn’t take, then Napoli scored the winning goal. The whole team had a great game.”