Manchester United sent Rasmus Hojlund out on loan to Napoli this season and in Italy he has found a scoring touch.
It was a shame, the manner in which Rasmus Hojlund’s dream of playing for Manchester United came to an end.
Hojlund wanted to fight for his place at United, however, Ruben Amorim made the decision for him, with Benjamin Sesko’s arrival ending the Dane’s chances.
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The loan to Napoli includes the reigning Scudetto champions having the obligation to buy Hojlund for £38m if they qualify for the Champions League this season, which almost looks a guarantee.
However, despite his poor season last year, United staff were reluctant to let him leave permanently, now Antonio Conte has suggested those concerns were valid.
Rasmus Hojlund runs in celebration after scoring for Napoli vs Sporting CP.
Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images
Antonio Conte discusses Rasmus Hojlund’s start to life at Napoli
While United needed a new starting number nine, letting Hojlund leave feels like a risk, as he always had the potential to put everything together one day and become a very good striker.
He has shown this since joining Napoli, scoring goals and looking stronger, faster and all altogether better footballer. In the past week, Hojlund bagged a brace against Sporting CP and now he has scored again in Serie A against Genoa in a 2-1 win.
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This brought his tally to four this season, with the striker looking like a changed man at Napoli.
After his performance against Genoa, his manager Conte has been quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport suggesting that Hojlund has a long way to go, but the potential is there to make United regret letting him go.
“He’s a 22-year-old who was on the sidelines at Manchester United. He has significant room for improvement; he needs to work because he has the potential to become a star, and he’s proving it.”
If Hojlund reaches the ‘star’ billing he is capable of, United will be frustrated to have lost him for cheap, when he could have been loaned instead to build value.
Rasmus Hojlund buy obligation looks as good as triggered already
Despite Napoli not having to buy Hojlund unless they qualify for the Champions League, this looks like a given right now, but even if they didn’t, if Hojlund continues the form he’s shown of four goals in six games, the Italian side will absolutely be looking to sign him.
Kevin de Bruyne has given his endorsement to Hojlund, comparing him with Erling Haaland, and if he can score at a similar rate for an entire season, he could have similar numbers.
Four goals from six games is an impressive return, so if Hojlund managed to play 48 games this season his current form would mean 32 goals, which would make the £38m look ridiculously cheap.
Hojlund was always a model professional at United, and deserves success at Napoli. With Hojlund thriving and Sesko starting to kick on at United, all parties should be happy with the situation.