Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, scored his first goal for Napoli in just 14 minutes against Fiorentina on Saturday night.
After months of speculation, the out-of-favoured Hojlund joined Napoli from Manchester United on a season-long loan with an option to buy for £38 million if the Italian team makes the Champions League next season.
The 22-year-old striker, who struggled to score under Ruben Amorim, has previously been chastised for his lack of concentration in front of goal.
Since coming from Atalanta in 2023, Hojlund has scored only 26 goals in 95 appearances for the Reds, who signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer as a straight replacement.
However, on Saturday night, the Danish international increased Napoli’s lead with a clean finish past Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
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After scoring on his debut, many United fans highlighted how players tend to develop after leaving Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay serving as a prime example after a fantastic season with Napoli in 2024/25.
One member of the crowd commented: “Rasmus Hojlund is already scoring for Napoli, maybe Manchester United was the problem.”
Someone else remarked, “I’ve told United fans over and over— Hojlund was never the problem; most young strikers will struggle in our current system,” and a third added: “Hojlund left Manchester United and all over a sudden starts scoring goals.”
A fourth person posted: “Hojlund who didn’t play most of pre-season or start the season with us is already starting and scoring for Napoli, but Amorim is taking 600 years to start Sesko.”
A fifth responded: “Hojlund off the mark for Napoli on his debut, is he going to be another one who flourishes away from the power keg of Old Trafford.”
Speaking after completing his move to Napoli, Hojlund stated that he has “a lot to prove” under Conte.
“It’s different now, obviously, because I have more experience and am a better football player,” he stated upon his return to Italy.
“I have extensive international experience, having played in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and in several other countries. I have a lot to prove. I want to prove myself with Italy’s top team, and Napoli is going to be very good.”
Hojlund went further: “I always work hard, I like to say I want to die on the pitch, to give everything for the team, to score goals, create, and fight for everything.”
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