Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund says he has rediscovered the joy of playing football after swapping Manchester United for Napoli, a move he believes saved his career and restored his confidence.
Speaking from Denmark’s national team camp ahead of their World Cup play-off against Macedonia, the striker admitted he felt written off before his resurgence in Serie A.
A fresh start in Naples
Rasmus Hojlund has been one of Napoli’s standout performers this season, scoring 14 goals and adding four assists across all competitions.
He joined on loan from Manchester United in the summer after something of a miserable spell at Old Trafford. He moved there in August 2023 but failed to settle, struggling for consistency despite flashes of potential.
His record at Manchester United was only 26 goals in 95 games but includes records such as him being the youngest player to score in six successive Premier League games. He was also the first United player to score 10 European goals before turning 22.
Hojlund, though, admits he had lost his love for the game. That’s something he’s rediscovered in Naples under Antonio Conte.
*“In Naples, I rediscovered the joy of playing football. It seemed like it was all over, they said so in Denmark, too, but I never gave up and always believed in it,*” Sport Mediaset report him saying.
“I know I still have a lot of work to do and improve. I’m very self-critical about this. Now in Denmark they say I’m back at the heart of the project because I’m working and scoring much more.”
Honest Manchester United reflection
The 23-year-old is more than aware his time at Manchester United was not a success. And he’s willing to admit it. But he also feels critics need to look at more than his goal return.
“If you look at my last spell at Manchester, I didn’t do well, I’m aware of that, but a lot has changed now,“ he added.
“I’ve grown more. I’ve always worked hard, and you can’t judge a striker solely on whether he’s in the final third and manages to score.
“In football, there are ups and downs; it’s part of the journey. The important thing is to always stay on top of things, as I have done, without being influenced by the media’s opinions.”
A permanent summer exit
With his form significantly improving in Italy, a permanent move to Naples from Manchester United now feels inevitable.
Napoli have a clause to make his loan permanent and, Hojlund has backed the idea in recent months. Perhaps that is why he is now in a reflective mood.
His struggles at Old Trafford and revival in Naples, plus these comments, certainly create a sense that everyone is ready to move on.
🇧🇷 Rayan | Manchester United and Arsenal pushed forward
⭐️ Bournemouth may have unearthed a gem
💵 €100m summer tussle possiblehttps://t.co/wkHdbeTiX5 #afcb #afc #mufc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 24, 2026