'Now on a well-functioning team' - Denmark boss aims dig at Man Utd over Rasmus Hojlund's treatment as striker enjoys Napoli renaissance

Hojlund moved to United from Atalanta in 2023 and while he wasn't a prolific scorer in Italy, the Premier League side were convinced to spend big to secure his services two years ago. The Danish striker, though, was unable to strike up any sort of form in England and scored just four goals in 32 appearances for the English giants last season.

The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko pushed Hojlund further down the pecking order at United and the club were happy to see him leave for Napoli on loan with a £38m obligation to buy at the end of the 2025/26 season. However, like many who have departed United in recent years, Hojlund has gone on to enjoy an uptick in form.

The 22-year-old has only scored four league goals in 2025, but two of those have come across four Serie A appearances for Antonio Conte's side with Napoli currently top of the table after the opening six games of the season.

Denmark coach Brian Riemer has since aimed a dig at United ahead of Denmark's win at Belarus on Thursday, a game in which Hojlund bagged a first half brace, and is quoted by The Metro as saying: "I think Rasmus has the quality for both leagues, without discussion.

"‘Does he fit in Italian football? Yes. There was no doubt about that, because he had already proven that. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fit in English football. On the contrary, I would almost say.

"The fact that he is now on a well-functioning team and has players around him who take pride in doing good for others helps to make the outcome for a striker like Rasmus, who needs to be serviced. It is more important than which league you play in."

Hojlund, meanwhile, was asked about his return to his best form, to which he replied: "Not much has happened other than me getting into a good football team.

"I’ve played a lot and it’s been going really well. I’ve felt fit and sharp. I’ve made sure I was ready and I did a lot of things off the pitch in my summer break to be ready for the upcoming season.

"It’s of course great to be in such a period. In my position, I’m basically there to score goals. That’s my job. When I go onto the pitch, I have extra faith in things, and I’m of course happy about that."

On the Danish striker, Napoli boss Conte said: "He’s a 22-year-old who was on the sidelines at Manchester United. He has significant room for improvement, he needs to work because he has the potential to become a star, and he’s proving it."

Hojlund isn't the first player to leave United recently and go on to thrive elsewhere. The Premier League side have endured a significant downturn in fortunes in recent years, becoming the butt of jokes among football fans.

And players seem to enjoy a return to their best form once they leave United, with Hojlund's Napoli teammate Scott McTominay among those to shine away from Old Trafford. McTominay was superb as Napoli won the Scudetto last season, and was named Serie A MVP in the process.

Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford caught the eye during a brief stint with Aston Villa, while Antony played a key role as Real Betis progressed to the UEFA Conference League final last season, eventually falling to a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in Poland.

Napoli will look to maintain their title defence next weekend when they travel to Turin to face Torino on Saturday, 18th October, and capitalise upon Roma's meeting with Inter in Serie A's first round of games following the October international break.