Rasmus Hojlund wanted to fight for his place at Man Utd, but Ruben Amorim had other plans for the young striker.Rasmus Hojlund joined Napoli on deadline day.(Image: SSCNapoli)

Rasmus Hojlund believes his experience at Manchester United has made him a better player.

Hojlund completed a deadline day move to Napoli. United will receive a €6million (£5.2m) loan fee and €44m (£38m) next summer when the obligation, which depends on certain conditions, is triggered.

United will avoid a loss on Hojlund under PSR rules if the obligation is met by Napoli.

Hojlund was signed in a £72million deal from Atalanta in the summer of 2023. The young striker scored 16 goals in all competitions in his first season, but he managed just four Premier League goals last term.

United signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer. Hojlund spoke during the USA pre-season tour and insisted he wanted to stay, but Ruben Amorim’s decision was final.

Amorim did not name Hojlund in a squad once the season began and he joined Napoli on the final day of the window.

“I was very excited, because it’s a team that just won the league. I also know how great the fans are, the city, and I’m very happy for this opportunity,” Hojlund told Napoli’s club media.

“It’s different now, obviously, as I come with more experience and I’m a better football player. I come with a lot of international experience.

“I played in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and in multiple countries. I come with a lot to prove, I want to show myself in the best team in Italy, and Napoli is going to be very, very good.”

Hojlund continued: “I always work hard, I like to say I want to die on the pitch, to give everything for the team, to score goals, create, and fight for everything.

“I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity, I’m very, very grateful and I’m going to do my best to make us win something this year again, and to do the fans and club proud.”

In July, when asked if United had updated him on his future, Hojlund said: “Nothing so far. I think the most important thing for me is just to keep working hard and stay focused and then obviously we’ll see what happens.

“I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens. I’m still very young. I think people forget that sometimes. I’m only 22.

“Obviously, not every striker is scoring 100 goals at the age of 22 (like Erling Haaland). But I’ve learned a lot, I think you can see in my game. I’m starting to develop and become even better in the basics.

“Now it’s just about for me to sharpen myself and I’ve done very well in the pre-season so far. Just focusing on continuing that.

“Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I’m more than ready. I’m feeling sharp, so I’m welcoming everything that comes. I think it’s good with competition and it only sharpens the team.”

Napoli were crowned Italian champions last season and Hojlund will rekindle his relationship with Scott McTominay, who was a revelation in Naples after leaving United last summer.

Napoli boss Antonio Conte moved to sign Hojlund after an injury to former United striker Romelu Lukaku.

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