Rasmus Hojlund has been Napoli’s main striker since the beginning of the season, but that could soon change as one of Serie A’s most prolific strikers is set to return from injury.
Ruben Amorim made big decisions in his first summer transfer window as Manchester United head coach.
They included a change of goalkeepers and a revamp of the team’s attacking department.
One of the players to lose their place in the team is Rasmus Hojlund, who was overlooked at the start of the 2025/26 campaign before he joined Napoli on a season-long loan.
Did Manchester United make a mistake sending Rasmus Hojlund on loan?
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Hojlund failed to impress Amorim after the Portuguese coach arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024. After spending two seasons as United’s main striker, the Denmark international scored just 26 goals across all competitions.
The arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig contributed to the decision to let Hojlund go temporarily, with the Dane unlikely to play for United again.
Romelu Lukaku training with Napoli in Saudi Arabia
Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku return could impact Rasmus Hojlund
After a bright start at Napoli, Hojlund appeared to have reached a turning point in his career.
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Now, with 17 appearances for the Serie A champions under his belt, Hojlund has scored six goals and registered two assists.
Phil Jones has been impressed by Hojlund’s form at Napoli, but it remains to be seen if the Italian outfit will sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Hojlund recently scored a brace in a 2-1 win over Juventus, and he will be aiming to add to his tally on Thursday night when Napoli take on AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals.
Fabrizio Romano’s POWERFUL verdict on Rasmus Hojlund’s performance in Napoli vs Juventus… 💥🎯
"Machine bro." 👏🇩🇰 — Fabrizio Romano on Rasmus Hojlund
Who would YOU choose out of Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko at Man Utd? 🤔👀
Scott McTominay and on-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund after the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus, inset reporter Fabrizio Romano. Credit: Francesco Pecoraro/Nicolò Campo/LightRocket/Getty Images.
Credit: Francesco Pecoraro/Nicolò Campo/LightRocket/Getty Images.
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Conte, who is looking to secure the first silverware of the season, could welcome former United striker Romelu Lukaku back to face AC Milan.
This news means Hojlund faces a greater challenge to keep his place in the Napoli line-up because the reason they signed the United loanee was to help the team cope with Lukaku’s absence.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, Lukaku travelled with the Napoli squad from Naples Capodichino airport on Tuesday morning, bound for Riyadh with the match taking place in Saudi Arabia.
It will be difficult for Conte to find a way to make Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay, Lukaku and Hojlund work as a four. That means there will be players who miss out on a place in the line-up.
Hojlund has between now and the end of the season to prove his worth to Napoli. Only time will tell how he reacts to increased competition from Lukaku.
This, of course, comes as a boost for Conte because Lukaku is one of the most prolific strikers in Serie A.
Lukaku scored 14 goals in 38 appearances for Napoli last season, but he has also proven himself to be a goalscorer at Inter Milan and Roma.
Which former Man Utd players won Supercoppa Italiana?
Several former United players have won the Supercoppa Italiana during their time in Italy.
Former United full-back Matteo Darmian won it four times during Inter Milan’s recent period of dominance, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba won it twice each at Juventus.
Full list of Supercoppa Italiana winners
Matteo Darmian (4)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2)
Paul Pogba (2)
Juan Sebastian Veron (2)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2)
Romelu Lukaku
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (3)
Alexis Sanchez (2)
Patrice Evra
Edwin van der Sar
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