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Rasmus Højlund makes confident Napoli start after deadline day Manchester United exit

Originally posted on HITC | By Vatsal Gupta | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 10:24 AM ET

Rasmus Hojlund’s departure to Napoli on deadline day brought an understated end to his time at Manchester United, the club he’d grown up supporting.

His stay at Old Trafford will be seen as one where timing never quite aligned. Hojlund and United seemed to want different things from the beginning.

United needed someone ready to deliver straight away, while Hojlund was still very much a work in progress. The pressure didn’t help either side.

Now at Napoli, he’s sounded upbeat in his first interview with the club and spoke about how his time at Man Utd shaped him as a player.

Hojlund makes confident Napoli start after Manchester United exit

Rasmus Hojlund’s time at Manchester United is likely to be remembered as a disappointment, but it wasn’t all down to him. The move was never the right fit.

He arrived with an injury and had played less than 1,000 minutes in Serie A before joining. The expectations placed on him were unrealistic from the start.

The transfer fee only made things worse, and his determination to succeed quickly turned into frustration as his confidence took hit after hit.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

There’s no doubt he has more ability than what he showed at United. There’s hope that the tough spell may have helped him grow stronger mentally.

That’s what he suggested in his first interview after joining Napoli.

“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,” said Hojlund.

“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.”

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

Hojlund’s story at Man Utd might not be over

It was clear Hojlund didn’t want to leave Man Utd until the very last day, and that says a lot about his professionalism and determination.

Napoli have agreed to a buy option that becomes an obligation if they qualify for the Champions League, so it’s likely to happen.

Photo by Annice Lyn/Manchester United via Getty Images

Either way, Hojlund heads to Italy with a point to prove, and that motivation should bring out stronger performances from him.

If he thrives at Napoli and the move becomes permanent, United will always linger in his thoughts as unfinished business.

In an ideal world, he could return to United in three or four years after shining at Napoli and finally become the striker they hoped for when they first signed him.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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