Man Utd embarrassed again as Hojlund becomes Napoli’s Haaland

Rasmus Hojlund is expected to start for Napoli against Manchester City and his ‘idol’ Erling Haaland as he seeks to prove that Manchester United were wrong to force him out.

The Denmark international enjoyed a dream start to life back in Italy by netting just 14 minutes into his debut for Napoli after completing a late-window move in the summer.

The reigning Serie A champions took a punt on the former Atalanta forward after Man Utd had deemed him surplus to requirements following the acquisition of Benjamin Sesko.

Despite not wanting to leave Old Trafford, the 22-year-old had no choice but to depart. As has been the case with many a Man Utd flop in recent years, this is likely to do wonders for his career.

His auspicious start at the weekend is seemingly a sign of things to come. According to Il Mattino, Hojlund, despite not being at 100 per cent, is raring to go again.

Hojlund out to prove doubters wrong

The Italian outlet describes the young striker as being ‘in a rush’ to prove to Man Utd that they were foolish to force him out of the club. Hojlund also wants to repay the faith Napoli have shown in him by agreeing to potentially pay as much as €50 million for him.

Antonio Conte is loving the Dane’s application, and Hojlund is already believed to be ahead of fellow summer recruit Lorenzo Lucca in the pecking order despite this only being his first full week of training.

Hojlund could start against Man City on Thursday in a Champions League clash that will, ironically, take place in Manchester. He is determined to get on the scoresheet again after scoring five goals in six appearances in Europe’s premier competition in his debut Man Utd season.

When he first broke through, he was being billed as the ‘Danish Haaland.’ Napoli will now try to help him get back to the level that earned him this nickname, and what better way to start than by potentially outshining the real Haaland at the Etihad.

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