Rasmus Hojlund joined Napoli this summer on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy, but the Denmark striker wasn’t always set on a move.
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
18:00, 06 Oct 2025
Man Utd loanee Rasmus Hojlund is settling into life at Napoli well.(Image: Getty Images)
Rasmus Hojlund has revealed three reasons that made him change his mind about leaving Manchester United.
The 22-year-old joined Napoli on a season-long loan this summer, after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim. However, as Gli Azzurri have a £38million obligation to sign the Denmark international permanently, next summer, it seems as though his time at Old Trafford is done.
Hojlund’s decision to part ways with United this summer was far from straightforward, though, as he was initially determined to stay and fight for his place – despite the club securing the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to bolster Amorim’s attacking options.
Speaking about his plans for the future, during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, Hojlund said: “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 Kevin De Bruyne]. 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.
“I’m 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.”
Despite that stance, Hojlund eventually agreed to a deadline day move to Napoli – a move which has seemingly bore fruit thus far. This season, Hojlund has scored four goals in six games in all competitions – the same amount that he managed in the Premier League with United for the duration of 2024/2025.
And speaking about what ultimately changed his mind and made him consider the next chapter of his career on Italian soil, Hojlund told Radio Kiss: “[Antonio] Conte is a top coach.
“I came here because I knew this was an important step for me.
“Napoli is a great club, and a wonderful place to live. It’s exactly what I need right now in my career.”
After six games, champions Napoli currently top the Serie A table and are on track to defend the league title they clinched last year, with five wins and just one loss from their efforts. And Hojlund isn’t the only former Manchester-based player who is thriving with the side at present.
That’s because Scott McTominay has enjoyed a stellar return with Napoli since making the move from United last summer, with 12 goals and six assists to his name in the league last term. Elsewhere, Manchester City legend, Kevin De Bruyne is also thriving, with three goals and two assists to his name from eight outings in Serie A and the Champions League combined.
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