Rasmus Hojlund has delivered a pointed social media message aimed at his former club, Manchester United, after clinching his first piece of silverware since leaving Old Trafford.
A Trophy and a Telling Social Media Post
The Danish striker helped Napoli secure the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with a 2-0 victory over Bologna sealed by a brace from David Neres. This marked Napoli's first triumph in the competition since 2014.
For Hojlund, the trophy represents a significant personal milestone, being his first since his £72million move to Manchester United in 2023 turned sour. After managing just four Premier League goals last season, the 22-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements under new manager Ruben Amorim, who brought in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko.
Hojlund subsequently joined Antonio Conte's Napoli on a season-long loan last summer. Celebrating the Super Cup win on Instagram, Hojlund posted a picture holding the trophy with the caption: 'What a great decision looks like.' The post was liked by several of his former United teammates, including Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana.
Conte's Praise and a Likely Permanent Switch
Napoli manager Antonio Conte was full of praise for Hojlund and fellow ex-United midfielder Scott McTominay after the final, suggesting their improvement in Italy was no accident. 'Hojlund and McTominay were not playing at Manchester United, so there must be a reason given the work done by me and my staff,' Conte stated.
The Italian coach emphasised his philosophy of player development, adding: 'I believe our job is to expand a player’s knowledge and make him stronger. I invest a lot in that, and I think every player I have worked with has always come out improved.'
The initial loan agreement includes a clause that could see the move made permanent for a fee of £38million, contingent on Napoli securing Champions League qualification. Currently sitting third in Serie A, just two points behind leaders Inter Milan, the club are well-placed to meet that condition.
Hojlund's Fresh Start in Serie A
Hojlund's form in Italy has been a marked improvement on his difficult spell in England. He has scored seven goals in 19 appearances across all competitions for Napoli, including a strike in the 2-0 semi-final win over AC Milan that sent them to the Super Cup final.
Speaking to DAZN earlier in December, the forward strongly hinted at a long-term future in Naples, saying: 'Next season, I’ll give my interviews in Italian.' This comment, coupled with his on-field contributions and the likely permanent transfer, signals a decisive and successful new chapter for the young striker, far removed from his frustrations at Old Trafford.
