“We have to bring him back”: Treble winner makes stunning claim about United loanee whom the fans loved

Ruben Amorim decided Rasmus Hojlund was not fit for purpose after he scored a meagre four Premier League goals last season for Manchester United.

Despite the Dane being keen to stay and fight for his place, INEOS pushed him out, which left him heartbroken. He eventually moved to Napoli on loan with the Serie A champions obligated to buy him at the end of his loan spell.

The Denmark international scored on his debut, with his manager Antonio Conte taking a subtle dig at the Red Devils for letting the 22-year-old leave.

And Treble winner and fellow Dane, Peter Schmeichel seems to agree. In an interview with F365, the former goalkeeper claimed that the ex-Atalanta ace had it in him to become a 25-goal striker for the club.

Rasmus has started strongly with Napoli

“With Antony, it’s different. He was never good enough for Manchester United. Yes, he scored on his debut, but very quickly you could see he didn’t have what it takes for the Premier League.

“In Holland, playing in a dominant team, he looked good. But at United, the pace is relentless from the first minute to the last, the pressure is constant, and every opponent raises their game. To succeed here, you need something extra, and he didn’t have it. He’s moved on, and we wish him well.

“The one that really pains me is Højlund. I honestly believe he could have been a 25-goal-a-season striker for Manchester United. The problem wasn’t him – it was the way the team played.

“The system didn’t suit him. When players like Garnacho or Rashford got the ball, they looked only to shoot. The ball into the No.9 never came, even though Rasmus was making really good runs.

“The fans saw it. They loved him because he fought, he ran, he gave everything, and he had to play every game because there were no other strikers. Of course, when you don’t score as a striker, people point to it again and again. But what more could he do without service?”

The legendary keeper suggested that he suffered due to a lack of service. But with United bringing in the likes of Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, Rasmus Hojlund would have been a great fit.

In fact, Schmeichel even said that he was glad it is an initial loan, as he felt INEOS should look to bring him back to Old Trafford next year.

Schmeichel says United should bring him back

“I’ve seen what he can do when he’s on form and gets the right service. That’s why I’m glad it’s only a loan. I hope he scores 25 goals, and that people at Old Trafford are then thinking: ‘We have to bring him back.

“With [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo now providing service, and Bruno [Fernandes] playing further up the pitch, I still believe he could be a fantastic striker for Manchester United. He’s already scored after just 30 minutes for Napoli, which shows his quality. He’s still our player, and that’s the positive.”

While he has started strongly back in Italy, fans will not agree with the ex-Danish keeper. Rasmus Hojlund had his shot, and he blew it as he simply was not ready for life in the Premier League.

United will have to share some of the blame for it, as he had barely any support, but still his overall play and lack of goals left a lot to be desired.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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