FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
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Rasmus Hojlund is already promising to be the next Manchester United flop that have managed to go on and succeed elsewhere.

That is the verdict of European football expert Andy Brassell, who stated the Dane has ‘immediately clicked’ on loan at Napoli.

FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Hojlund scored just 14 minutes into his Napoli debut against Fiorentina
Getty

Hojlund needed just 14 minutes on his debut for Antonio Conte‘s men to open his Serie A account for the Italian champions on Saturday.

The 22-year-old helped his new side maintain their 100 per cent record in the league during a 3-1 away win at Fiorentina.

It was his first appearance for any club this season, having been left out of each of United’s first three Premier League fixtures.

The forward, previously left out of the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby last month, found himself surplus to needs following Benjamin Sesko’s arrival.

talkSPORT reported in June that head coach Ruben Amorim preferred to keep Joshua Zirkzee and sell Hojlund this summer.

Although he initially wanted to stay and fight for his place at United, the Danish international eventually had to come to terms with the fact that his future lay elsewhere.

However, his decision to follow Scott McTominay to Napoli already looks to be an inspired one following his impressive debut.

Hojlund’s strike doubled the visitors’ lead on the night after Kevin De Bruyne had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

It was his first goal since joining on a season-long loan from United, with an obligation to buy if Napoli qualify for the Champions League.

If triggered, it would see him complete a permanent switch for £38million – just two years on from arriving at Old Trafford for £72m.

European football expert Brassell said Hojlund has ‘immediately clicked’ at Napoli

On talkSPORT’s Trans Europe Express podcast, Brassell remarked: “Hojlund netted a magnificent goal to give them a 2-0 lead, and immediately made an impression.

“He talked afterwards about what an incredible opportunity it was to go to Napoli.

“It always seemed like United were more eager to sell him than he was to depart, and perhaps he was just waiting for a chance that likely wasn’t forthcoming given his performance in recent years.”

“But really, the Romelu Lukaku injury has changed everything.

“It meant they had to go back into the market for a striker when they thought they’d completed their transfer market.

“And then he comes into the team, and a really supremely confident finish straight away.”

FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli celebrates his goal with Antonio Conte of Napoli during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Conte expects more positive performances to come from Hojlund
Getty
Hojlund is already on his way to matching the 14 league goals he scored for Man United

Conte teases Man United after Hojlund’s Napoli debut

The ex-Chelsea and Tottenham manager fired a cheeky dig at the Red Devils after Hojlund hit the ground running on his return to Italy.

“Hojlund is only 22 years old, we got him from Manchester United, seeing as it brought us luck doing that with McTominay,” Conte joked.

Red Devils academy product McTominay was named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player after netting 12 goals in 34 matches, helping Napoli clinch the Scudetto in his debut year in Italy.

The Scottish star is part of a trend at United where players have regained their form after leaving the club.

Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Memphis Depay, Anthony Elanga, Dean Henderson, and Angel di Maria are just some recent examples.

Man United took a £30m-plus hit to get Hojlund off the books

Hojlund set to be latest transfer regret

Hojlund has now threatened to become the latest, just weeks after he was branded a ‘£70m trialist’ who is not Premier League quality.

However, Brassell added to the Trans Europe Express podcast: “So you know when they say, ‘It’s not me, it’s you?’”

“Well, it’s not about him; it’s about United, I think it’s evident here. He seems to be just the latest in a string of players who have fallen short at Manchester United but have managed to succeed elsewhere.”

“I mean, what does that say for United?

“Not just in the [Ruben] Amorim regime, but I think in successive regimes of United, if a player goes out there and just becomes the player that he always should have been, the player that United thought they were buying.

“It’s a good deal for United until he has a good season and they pick him up for a fee that looks cheap.”

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