Rasmus Hojlund is rediscovering his form at Napoli.
Looking reborn and meaning business, the United striker has emerged as a revelation under Antonio Conte, scoring four goals in six games.
Considering he has already matched his Premier League tally from last season, four goals in 34 appearances, Hojlund is on a genuine resurgence.
Much has been said about his bright start to life on loan at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Some suggest he is simply trying to prove a point; others argue United never figured out how to get the best out of him.
Hojlund speaks
But what does the striker really believe has reignited his form after two seasons of being battered over his goalscoring struggles?
Speaking while on international duty with Denmark via local outlet Tipsbladet, the 22-year-old offered his take:
“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 during my summer break to be ready for the upcoming season.
“I don’t know if there is a difference. In the subconscious, there may be. But I always try to tell myself that I am a good footballer who can always score goals, regardless of whether I haven’t scored in 20 games or I am in the group I am in now.”
Interestingly, Denmark boss Brian Riemer echoed similar sentiments:
“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.”
From both Hojlund and Riemer’s comments, one might infer that United were at fault for the striker’s struggles at Old Trafford, but that is not entirely accurate.
Unfair to throw all the blame at United
Yes, United should shoulder part of the blame, but Hojlund himself could have done more.
With 26 goals in 95 games, he had ample opportunity to improve his output. It is not as though he did not squander chances or drift out of games when he had the opportunity to make an impact.
While he seems to have found a new lease of life in Naples, it would be wise for Hojlund to accept that things did not click in Manchester, and that is fine.
Because ultimately, if Benjamin Sesko turns out to be the hit he is threatening to become, Hojlund pointing fingers at United for his own struggles will be baffling.
Featured image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
