Rasmus Hojlund delivered a match-winning performance for Napoli on Sunday, scoring twice to secure a 2-0 victory away at Cremonese and underline his remarkable resurgence since departing the Premier League.
From Old Trafford Struggles to Serie A Success
The Danish striker's decisive brace brought his tally in Italy's top flight to an impressive six goals in just 12 Serie A appearances. This output already surpasses his total for Manchester United last season, where he managed only four goals in 32 Premier League games. The 22-year-old's double earned Napoli all three points and secured him the official Man of the Match award in the process.
Hojlund ended what has been described as his 'Old Trafford nightmare' by joining Antonio Conte's Napoli on transfer deadline day. The move is initially a loan deal but includes an obligation for the Italian club to make the transfer permanent for £38 million, provided they qualify for next season's Champions League.
A New Chapter in Naples
Since his high-profile switch to Serie A, the forward has featured 19 times across all competitions for his new side. His contributions have not been limited to the league; he has also found the net twice in the Champions League and once in the Italian Super Cup, which Napoli won.
Following that Super Cup triumph—his first trophy with the club—Hojlund appeared to aim a subtle dig at his former employers. Sharing an image of himself with the silverware on social media, he captioned it: 'What a great decision looks like.'
Contrasting Fortunes for United and Their Replacement
The context of Hojlund's exit from Manchester is stark. United had signed him from Atalanta for £72 million in August 2023. After a promising first campaign, his form dipped last term, and new manager Ruben Amorim deemed him surplus to requirements.
The club moved to replace the Dane with Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, who arrived from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £74 million. However, Sesko has struggled to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford, scoring only twice since his arrival, a fact that highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two players following the summer's major striker reshuffle.
Hojlund's performance against Cremonese not only sealed three vital points for Napoli but served as the latest compelling evidence that his career is thriving anew in Italy.
