Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his view on one of the club’s outgoing players.
Gone are the days when Manchester United fans used to boast, ‘the only way after leaving United is down’.
Lately it is more common the opposite is true, that players who have struggled at times at Old Trafford go on to enjoy success elsewhere.
Some of this is owed to the crushing expectations at Manchester United, that are just too much for players and managers to handle.
One of the biggest success stories was Scott McTominay, who went from being a United squad player to a Serie A winner with Napoli, even nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Rasmus Hojlund now appears set to join him at Napoli, with a loan deal currently being worked on.
Rasmus Hojlund on the touchline as Manchester United take on Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand backs Rasmus Hojlund for Napoli move
Rasmus Hojlund has been made surplus to requirements at Manchester United following the £66 million deal for Benjamin Sesko.
AC Milan were interested in Hojlund, but Napoli are set to win the race, and Rio Ferdinand believes it is the perfect situation for him.
More United News
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “What a club to go to. Rasmus Hojlund must be sitting there licking his lips, the champions of Italy, I’ve got De Bruyne feeding me, Scott McTominay joining in the box and causing havoc, he’s the dangerman who might give me some more space. There’s a few more weapons there.
“Lukaku when he gets back I’ll be jostling for position with him but what a situation for him.
“It’s a bit like Marcus Rashford, coming out of Man Utd where things aren’t going well, into a situation where there’s positivity in the camp. Barcelona champions of Spain, Napoli champions of Italy, it’s a wonderful move if Rasmus Hojlund can get it.”
Ferdinand also suggested that working with Napoli boss Antonio Conte will be great for his development.
The Premier League great said: “He could really kickstart himself, under a manager who has a clear identity and clear way of playing that he specifically wants players to play, that will do Rasmus Hojlund the world of good.”
Manchester United must be wary with Rasmus Hojlund exit
Manchester United signed Rasmus Hojlund when he was only 20, and gave him a huge task, asking him to lead the line for the club.
Somewhat predictably, Hojlund eventually buckled under the pressure, and a fresh start in a new environment could do him good.
But with Napoli unwilling to pay up for a permanent deal now, Manchester United can and should dictate the terms.
This should mean retaining some agency over the Dane’s future, that if he enjoys a successful loan and scores more than 20 goals, United could look to bring him back for a fresh start.
As Ferdinand points out, the conditions are there in Napoli for Hojlund to succeed, but that does not need to be the end for him at Manchester United.