Rasmus Hojlund declares Manchester United spell a ‘success’

Rasmus Hojlund endured a difficult two-year spell at Manchester United after arriving at Old Trafford with huge expectations in the summer of 2023.

United paid an initial £64 million to sign the young striker from Atalanta, backing him to develop into their long-term number nine.

There were encouraging moments during his debut campaign.

Hojlund scored 16 goals in all competitions, including five in six Champions League appearances, and finished the season with an FA Cup winners’ medal.

His second year proved considerably tougher.

Hojlund managed just four Premier League goals and endured a lengthy scoring drought as United struggled badly under Erik ten Hag and then Ruben Amorim.

He still contributed six times during United’s run to the Europa League final, but his difficulties leading the line increasingly placed his future under scrutiny.

That eventually resulted in a return to Italy, with Hojlund joining Napoli on loan in September 2025.

The move helped revive his career.

He scored 12 times in 33 Serie A appearances and 16 goals across all competitions, with Napoli’s Champions League qualification triggering an obligation to make the transfer permanent.

Rasmus Hojlund reflects on Manchester United spell

Despite the difficult ending, Hojlund does not believe his entire time at United should be viewed negatively.

Speaking in a new interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Denmark international described his first campaign at Old Trafford as a “success”.

“My first year was a success, the second wasn’t,” Hojlund said while reflecting on what went wrong in Manchester.

He pointed towards United’s injury problems during his debut season and the major tactical change which followed Amorim’s arrival as factors behind his struggles.

Hojlund also highlighted winning the FA Cup and finishing as United’s leading scorer during his first campaign.

He admitted the following season was considerably more difficult, although reaching the Europa League final gave United an opportunity to completely change the narrative.

Hojlund nevertheless remains proud of representing United, describing them as the club he had dreamed of playing for as a child.