Napoli Director Says Rasmus Hojlund Will Not Go Back To Manchester United
The news all Napoli fans will have wanted to hear!
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 31 December 2025
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has heavily hinted that Rasmus Hojlund will not be returning to Manchester United.
Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli now a mere ‘formality’
Hojlund has gone from strength to strength since joining Napoli on an initial loan deal from Manchester United last summer.
The Denmark international was struggling at Old Trafford and often received criticism from the fanbase.
Since joining Napoli, however, Hojlund has turned a corner and is now one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.
The Partenopei snapped Hojlund up on a season-long loan for around €6m with a €44m option to buy.
This becomes an obligation to buy if Napoli reach the Champions League, but Manna has suggested that they’ll be taking up the option.
“We did everything we could to sign him,” Manna told Corriere dello Sport.
“There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it.
“We had no doubts. Rasmus is decisive in terms of numbers, but also in how he understands the coach’s input. This makes a difference.
“There’s an option to buy and an obligation to buy if we qualify for the Champions League.
“The player considers himself a Napoli player, and the same goes for us. This is extremely important.”
The reporter asked if a permanent move was just a “formality,” and Manna replied: “As of today, I think so.”
How Rasmus Hojlund move will be the gift that keeps on giving for Napoli
Manna’s comments suggest that Napoli are effectively signalling the decision is theirs, not Manchester United’s.
Hojlund has already explained why the move appealed. He said Man United told him he was not part of their plans.
He also said the first contact from Napoli changed everything. “I only wanted to go there,” he told Sports Illustrated.
Conte’s influence was decisive too. Hojlund said their conversation was short, but “very, very good”, adding: “When he calls you, you just have to say yes.”
Hojlund’s success at Napoli will have far-reaching implications of the best possible type.
Not only is the Dane delivering on the pitch, but his return to form has shown that Napoli are the kind of club that can turn players from flops to fantastic.
They had already done so with Scott McTominay, mediocre at Man United but now a world-beater in sky blue.
In comparison, Man United appear to be doing the opposite.
Indeed, Gianfranco Zola recently claimed Man United would be going “crazy” over Hojlund’s change in fortunes.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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