Rasmus Hojlund scored 14 minutes into his Napoli debut after joining the Serie A champions on an initial loan deal from Manchester United this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund celebrates his debut goal for Napoli after leaving Man Utd. (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Rasmus Hojlund took just 14 minutes to score his first Napoli goal – and on debut – after joining the club on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season.
The 22-year-old largely struggled following his high-profile £72million transfer from Atalanta to United in 2023. In total, Hojlund managed 26 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions.
It led to the Denmark international slipping down the pecking order once Ruben Amorim came into power in the dugout last November; then with the arrival of attacking trio Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, his fate was sealed.
The Manchester Evening News reported in May that Hojlund had lost the confidence of senior figures at the club.
Therefore, he was loaned out to Serie A’s reigning champions Napoli on transfer deadline day. As the agreement includes a €44m (£38m) obligation-to-buy, depending on certain criteria being met, a return to United is unlikely.
So it seems the striker has set about making his former club regret the decision on debut against Fiorentina on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old followed former Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne‘s opener from the penalty spot by making it 2-0 to Napoli – with under 15 minutes played. He latched on to a threaded pass by Leanardo Spinazzola before holding off his marker and tucking his shot in off the inside of the post.
Hojlund was then mobbed by his teammates, who he would have only met the majority of since the end of the international break earlier this week.
In his first interview since leaving the United, he had said: “I’m very excited, because it’s a team that just won the league. I also know how great the fans are, the city, and I’m very happy for this opportunity.
“It’s different now, obviously, as I come with more experience and I’m a better football player. I come with a lot of international experience.
“I played in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and in multiple countries. I come with a lot to prove, I want to show myself in the best team in Italy, and Napoli is going to be very, very good.”
Also on the field at the time of Hojlund’s debut goal was Scott McTominay – who departed United in summer 2024 when his role under Erik ten Hag diminished. The Scotland midfielder was revitalised in Italy and was included in the 2024/2025 Serie A team of the season after he lifted the Scudetto.
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