Rasmus Hojlund, the Danish striker on loan from Manchester United, has delivered a pointed message to his parent club after clinching silverware in Italy. The 22-year-old celebrated Napoli's Italian Super Cup victory with a trophy photo on social media, captioned pointedly: 'What a great decision looks like'.
From Manchester Struggles to Napoli Success
Hojlund's move to Serie A giants Napoli in September came after a difficult debut season at Old Trafford. Having joined Manchester United for £72 million from Atalanta in 2023, he managed just four Premier League goals and was deemed surplus to requirements. His transfer to Naples is a season-long loan with a significant obligation to buy for £38 million next summer if certain performance clauses are met.
The young forward has emphatically revived his career in Italy. He has already found the net seven times in 19 appearances for Napoli, including a goal in Thursday's 2-0 Italian Cup semi-final victory against AC Milan. His contribution was pivotal in helping the team reach Monday's Super Cup final against Bologna.
Super Cup Glory Sealed by Neres Brace
While Hojlund played his part, it was teammate David Neres who emerged as the match-winner in the final. The former Ajax winger scored a spectacular brace to secure a 2-0 win and Napoli's third Super Cup title, following previous successes in 1990 and 2014.
Neres opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a stunning 25-meter left-footed curler into the far corner, leaving Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia stranded. His second goal, coming just before the hour mark, showcased his alertness as he capitalised on a slack pass from Ravaglia, dispossessed John Lucumi, and deftly chipped the ball over the prone keeper.
A New Chapter and a Clear Message
This trophy marks Hojlund's first piece of senior club silverware, a stark contrast to his challenging spell in England. His social media post, featuring the Super Cup trophy, is widely interpreted as a clear reference to his decision to leave Manchester United for Napoli.
The loan deal now looks increasingly likely to become permanent, with Hojlund silencing critics through consistent performances. For Manchester United, the episode represents a costly misstep on a major investment, while for the Danish international, his Italian adventure is proving to be a resounding and trophy-laden success.
