Hojlund nets 7 goals in 9 games, Man United secures £40 million! Amrabat pushes him out but achieves a fourfold win, with one exception staying at the club

Rasmus Hojlund, loaned from Man United to Napoli, keeps up his goal-scoring form by netting two goals and providing one assist for Denmark in their 6-0 rout of Belarus during the international break.

Since his last-minute move away from Man United in September, the 22-year-old Hojlund’s fate has shifted. He scored for Denmark during that month’s international fixtures and then found the net in his club debut for Napoli against Fiorentina. Despite a three-game goal drought afterward, he regained form with a brace in the Champions League match against Sporting CP.

Before the international break, Hojlund scored the winning goal in Napoli’s 2-1 Serie A victory over Genoa, riding a wave of confidence. Thus, it was no surprise to see him score again for Denmark. Man United fans also know that the "freight train" either goes through long dry spells or scores consecutively, with confidence being crucial for him.

On Thursday night, during the World Cup European qualifiers match between Denmark and Belarus, Hojlund scored his first goal just 19 minutes into the game with a close-range finish. Before halftime, he added another by instinctively reacting to a blocked shot from former Man United teammate Patrick Doig, slotting in the rebound to further secure the win.

Minutes later, Hojlund turned provider, delivering a cross that allowed Doig to score. Denmark’s coach Brian Riemer expressed his delight at Hojlund’s revival, linking it closely to his move from Man United to Napoli, where he joined a well-functioning team and rediscovered himself. Since leaving Man United, Hojlund has scored 7 goals and provided 1 assist in 9 matches for club and country.

“I believe Rasmus (Hojlund) has the ability to perform in two major leagues, that’s undeniable. Is he suited for Italian football? Yes, clearly, as he has already proven. But that doesn’t mean he’s not fit for English football. On the contrary, I would almost say he is,” said Riemer. “The main difference now is that Rasmus plays for a well-organized team, where players take pride in helping each other, which naturally benefits a forward like him who needs support. That’s more important than which league he plays in.”

Hojlund’s progress has led to some ridicule towards Man United, but that’s unnecessary. Players transfer to seek better development opportunities, and Hojlund’s revival at Napoli doesn’t mean the Red Devils should have kept him.

What would have happened if Hojlund stayed at Man United? His former teammate and rival Joshua Zirkzee serves as an example. The 24-year-old Dutch striker hasn’t started a game this season, has barely played, scored no goals, and was omitted from the Dutch national team squad this time.

From this perspective, Amrabat excluding Hojlund from the squad and forcing him out was the best decision for him. Man United has already received €6 million in loan fees, and Napoli has confirmed they will definitely activate the €40 million buyout clause at the end of this season, completing Hojlund’s permanent transfer.

Denmark has also regained an excellent scorer, making this a four-way win: Hojlund revived, Napoli and Denmark gained a player, and Man United earned money.