For those who believed Manchester United was the issue, Rasmus Hojlund’s performance in Napoli’s 2-1 loss to AC Milan was something of a wake-up call. Although many noted that the young frontman’s biggest issue was a lack of service, the Dane struggled at Old Trafford.
The patience of INEOS and Ruben Amorim had run out, despite the 22-year-old’s intense desire to “stay and fight” for his spot at United in the summer. Antonio Conte’s Serie A champions sent him on loan with a £38 million purchase obligation.
Hojlund’s lacklustre performance, which saw him manage just 16 touches of the ball, coincided with Napoli’s defeat at the San Siro. When reading the verdicts issued by the Italian media in response to his quiet night in Milan, Premier League supporters might have a case of deja vu.
Italian Media’s Opinion on Milan vs. Hojlund
On his debut, Hojlund immediately made an impression for Napoli by scoring in a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. Ironically, he was able to score against former United custodian David de Gea. His mediocre performance in a 3-2 victory over Pisa prevented him from building on that objective.
On Sunday night, Napoli suffered their first loss of the season, bringing the same nightmare to the queue at the Theatre of Dreams. The Italian media took note of his inefficiency and inability to force himself on the game.
When giving Hojlund a 5/10 player rating, Tuttomercatoweb believed that he wasn’t given enough service: “Attacks the depth, which is what he was bought for and what he does best, but he’s served poorly and infrequently.” Consequently, Gabbia and his comrades engulf him.
Il Messaggero attributed the Danish striker’s difficulties to his lack of involvement, giving him a 5/10 rating. He was “cancelled out” too easily, according to GOAL Italy, which also suggested Milan’s defence “caged” him.
Because of Scott McTominay’s Serie A MVP-winning 2024–25 season and Marcus Rashford’s amazing feats at Barcelona, there is a perception that players improve quickly after leaving Old Trafford. Hojlund, on the other hand, is having similar issues that have become a recurrent theme during his lacklustre term in England.
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United is ‘unhappy’ about taking Hojlund’s place.
In the summer, United made a move to replace Hojlund by acquiring Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for a reported £74 million. His complete debut was during his team’s disastrous Carabao Cup second-round loss to EFL League Two minnows Grimsby Town, and it has been a sluggish start.
Sesko made sure he stayed clear of the dreadful 0-0-7 record, which has come to represent the standard for rookie Premier League players. He scored a consolation goal in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Brentford, but it took three bites at the cherry.
Like Hojlund at United, the 22-year-old hasn’t had much to be joyful about since joining the team, and he stated that he wasn’t content even though he broke his duck at the Gtech. “My first Premier League goal, but I’d trade it right away for three points,” he posted on Instagram. I’m quite disappointed with yesterday’s outcome, but we’ll definitely recover. We’re Manchester United.
https://www.instagram.com/benjaminsesko/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0e19ebd4-99b8-489f-a9ae-5dcaff93ffe9
Since he took the Dane’s place as Amorim’s number nine, Sesko has been likened to Hojlund, although the Slovenian international is definitely more dangerous in the air. Nevertheless, after becoming one of Europe’s most admired strikers at Leipzig, he will be aware of the mess he has walked into.
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