Rasmus Hojlund is looking increasingly likely as the next player to have a career resurgence after leaving Manchester United, and he and his national team coach are in no doubt as to why that’s happened.
After joining Napoli on deadline day on an initial loan deal with an option to buy, Rasmus Hojlund has impressed everyone in Naples.
His scoring exploits aside, Hojlund has earned Antonio Conte’s trust immediately, and his teammates are already looking for him to score goals.
It bodes well for Denmark national team coach Brian Riemer, who has a fit and firing striker again, and he agrees with Hojlund about why he has rediscovered his form. It’s an indirect dig at Man Utd.
Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund scores his fourth goal of the season
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Rasmus Hojlund on resurgence at Napoli
It was always likely that Hojlund would rediscover his form elsewhere because the pressure of Old Trafford had trapped him in a vicious cycle.
His game had gone backwards, but he wasn’t nearly as bad as the Man Utd shirt was making him look.
That has been proven correct in Napoli, because, even though he has had some United deja vu in some games, he largely looks revitalised.
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet on international duty, Hojlund said leaving United to join a ‘good football team’ is the only change that has caused his resurgence.
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He said: “Not much has happened other than me getting into a good football team. I’ve played a lot and it’s been going really well. I’ve felt fit and sharp. I’ve made sure I was ready, and I did a lot of things off the pitch during my summer break to be ready for the upcoming season.
“I don’t know if there is a difference. In the subconscious, there may be. But I always try to tell myself that I am a good footballer who can always score goals, regardless of whether I haven’t scored in 20 games or I am in the group I am in now.”
Denmark coach Brian Riemer agrees with Hojlund
It’s no secret that Hojlund, as a boyhood United fan, didn’t want to leave, but he’s now realising that the grass is greener on the other side in this case.
A big beneficiary of the change is Denmark manager Brian Riemer, who has a confident hitman to lead his attack now.
Riemer agreed with Hojlund that leaving United is what has freed the striker, and going into a team that actually serves their striker has made the biggest difference.
He said: “The fact that he is now on a well-functioning team and has players around him who take pride in doing good for others helps to make the outcome for a striker like Rasmus, who needs to be serviced. It is more important than which league you play in.”
Hojlund’s failure at United was not down to just the player not being good enough or the club not giving him enough service.
To paint it as a “black or white” scenario would be an oversimplification of a complex issue that has to do with pressure, confidence, and a difficult time for everyone at the club.