The theme of Manchester United players loving life in Napoli looks set to continue as Rasmus Hojlund followed in Scott McTominay’s footsteps to make an instant impact.
Rasmus Hojlund made his Napoli debut against David de Gea’s Fiorentina, and manager Antonio Conte showed full trust in him from the off.
Despite not playing in any United game since the Fiorentina friendly in August, Hojlund was thrust straight into the starting XI.
Coincidentally, it was an away game against Fiorentina again, with Man Utd legend David de Gea in goal. Hojlund made an instant impact.
Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates with Antonio Conte after scoring second goal during the serie Serie A Enilive match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
How Rasmus Hojlund fared on Napoli debut
There was always a chance that Hojlund was going to rediscover his mojo at Napoli because his struggles at Old Trafford were as much a confidence issue as they were about a lack of talent.
What nobody saw coming was how much trust Conte would place in him, as he leaped Lorenzo Lucca in the pecking order straight away despite limited game time and training with his new team.
Hojlund repaid Conte’s leap of faith as he was a menace against Fiorentina, almost opening his account in just the third minute.
After that chance was missed, he didn’t miss the second time, expertly finishing past De Gea in the 14th minute to double Napoli’s lead.
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Hojlund came off in the 73rd minute, and Lucca couldn’t make a huge impact off the bench, which likely means that the Dane will start in Napoli’s next game as well in the Champions League.
Italian media wowed by Hojlund
The Italian press knows by now that players joining from Man Utd almost always translate well to the Italian league, but Hojlund’s debut still wowed everyone.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Scott McTominay, among others, found a new lease of life in Italy.
Hojlund is still developing, so for him to make an instant impact in Naples left the Italian media in awe.
Eurosport rated Hojlund’s performance the joint-highest in the team, along with Kevin de Bruyne and Sam Beukema, writing, “Excellent work as a striker, he brings the team forward and effectively pushes forward, giving Pongracic a headache.”
Repubblica raved about the summer signings as a whole, saying the trio of Hojlund, De Bruyne, and Beukema “led the way”.
Rainews rated him 7.5, writing, “He displayed a series of important qualities: quick thinking and execution, superb control technique, selflessness, and the ability to often anticipate defenders. The promise was excellent.”
Gazzetta dello Sport echoed a similar 7.5, raving about Hojlund’s impact on debut, promising a brighter future for the player and the team ahead.
Hojlund’s next game will be against familiar foes as Napoli travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the Champions League.