Manchester United’s striking woes might be hurting the team, but Rasmus Hojlund is a striker reborn away from the glare of Old Trafford.
After a chastening day for Benjamin Sesko in the Manchester derby that ended in a 3-0 defeat, the revival of players after leaving Old Trafford continued apace.
Rasmus Hojlund was electric on Napoli debut, earning Antonio Conte’s trust straightaway with a starting berth and scoring as well.
Now, the Italian press claim that Hojlund has achieved something which has ‘surprised’ everyone in just three training sessions.
Rasmus Hojlund runs with the ball for Napoli
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund’s dream start at Napoli
Letting Hojlund leave was a risk because it was clear that United didn’t allow him the tools and environment to flourish.
His own form didn’t help, but it was obvious that he was a much better player than he showed.
That theory has gained strength with his immediate impact in Naples, where he scored on debut and is already a favourite of Conte.
Hojlund’s permanent move isn’t as straightforward as first reported, but if he keeps playing like he has started, then even the £38m option will end up looking like a bargain.
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With a clear attacking structure and the manager’s confidence, the Dane could quickly rebuild his career and leave Man Utd fans wondering just what’s wrong in the air at Carrington.
Italian press makes ‘taken over’ Hojlund claim
Hojlund has already won half the battle at Napoli, which every signing faces, earning the trust of Antonio Conte.
The Italian is a famously hard taskmaster, so for the striker to become an immediate favourite says everything about his professionalism.
Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reports that Hojlund has ‘taken over’ Napoli, taking just three training sessions to ‘surprise everyone’.
That surprise pertains to him gaining Conte’s trust, who, the outlet writes, “gives top priority to those he already works with and has always had rather slow settling-in times.”
Initially brought in as a backup to Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian was injured, the outlet declared him an ‘evolution’ of Lukaku, never mind his ideal replacement.
It’s an open secret that Hojlund didn’t want to leave United and was forced out after Sesko’s signing.
At the current rate, he might end up thanking Amorim for freezing him out!