Rasmus Höjlund was considered a transfer flop at Manchester United. In Naples, the Dane is impressing with his performances – raising new questions for his former club.
“That’s what a great decision looks like”: With these words, Rasmus Höjlund commented on a picture published on Instagram, showing him with the trophy after triumphing with SSC Napoli in the Italian Supercup. Indeed, the move of the 22-year-old striker from Manchester United to Napoli has recently proven to be a real stroke of luck.
After the Dane had only scored four goals in his first 14 appearances for the Italian champions, he has become a key player in coach Antonio Conte’s team multiple times since early December. Höjlund scored twice against Juventus, contributed a goal and an assist in the Supercup semi-final against Milan, and last Sunday, he bagged his third brace of the season against Cremonese.
The striker now has a total of six league goals – more than in the entire previous season at Manchester United (four). Due to this meager record, Höjlund had been labeled a costly transfer flop by the Red Devils, after the club paid around 78 million euros to Atalanta Bergamo in 2023.
First Title: Höjlund Takes Off in Naples
Against this backdrop, Höjlund’s words after winning the title with Napoli last Monday were interpreted by the English press as a jab at his former club. In Italy, where he had already impressed for Bergamo in the 2022/23 season, the loaned attacker certainly seems to be flourishing again.
His latest brace against Cremonese once again earned Höjlund the Player of the Match award. “Christmas came late this year,” he wrote with a photo showing him beaming while holding the trophy.
The Italian press is showering the Dane with praise, who has been almost unstoppable, especially since a tactical change by Conte. The Gazzetta dello Sport headlined: “Höjlund is Napoli’s deadly weapon. And never before has he been so decisive.”
The striker has found what he needs: “The love of the city, the warmth in the dressing room, and a coach who has given him confidence and created the best conditions to fully exploit his enormous potential.”
Höjlund Delights Press: “Napoli Can Keep Dreaming”
An injury had temporarily slowed Höjlund between October and November, but now he is in top form. “Now he seems to know no limits. And Napoli can keep dreaming,” the newspaper continued.
Fantacalcio.it also praised: “The brace against Cremonese is the icing on the cake for two months in which he has shown his best. In Conte’s 3-4-2-1 system, Höjlund seems reborn.”
Rasmus Höjlund recently scored his third brace of the season
Conte himself also sees his protégé on the right track: “Höjlund can still improve a lot,” the coach said on DAZN Italia. “Since he came to us, he has developed into a dominant player in this role because he slowly understands which positions he needs to take, how to defend the ball, and when to go forward or drop back.”
Is There a Luxury Problem for Conte?
While Höjlund is currently the clear number one in Napoli’s attacking center, a potential luxury problem is emerging: Romelu Lukaku, a key player in last year’s championship, was in the Napoli squad for the first time in the Supercup after a serious thigh injury. The Belgian could make his comeback on the pitch early in the new year.
In Italy, there is already discussion about what impact Lukaku’s return could have on Höjlund’s role. While Conte generally prefers a system with only one striker, he would then have two top-class options, which makes it also seem possible that both will occasionally play together.
The Gazzetta dello Sport even sees great similarities between the two strikers: “Höjlund is increasingly becoming a ‘Lukaku’. Rasmus sprints into depth, absorbs tackles without falling, and seems like a superhero impossible to mark.”
Second United Flop Impresses at Napoli
“First McTominay, now Höjlund: United sells, and Napoli thanks them,” commented Gazzetta dello Sport wryly. “Where is the mistake? Manchester United, who desperately wanted to get rid of Höjlund, should be showered with questions.”
Höjlund’s Future at United Seems Unlikely
While Manchester continues to struggle with performance fluctuations, Napoli remains fully in the Serie A title race thanks to Höjlund’s goals. For the Dane, it could even continue in Italy beyond the current season: SSC secured a purchase option as part of the loan deal, which is said to be 44 million euros – roughly half of what United once paid.
According to media reports, this option could even turn into an obligation to buy if Napoli reaches the Champions League. After Höjlund’s recent goals, this scenario currently appears extremely realistic.