“When I was…”: United loanee pinpoints how new side have got the best out him, Amorim couldn’t do it

Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund has had a relatively successful loan spell in Italy this season. United career The Dane struggled massively in a red shirt, scoring just 26 goals in 95 appearances for the Red Devils. He joined the club in 2023 from Atalanta, but with the signing of Benjamin Sesko in the summer, it was decided he would be loaned out. Hojlund has found a decent level of form in Italy for SSC Napoli, scoring 12 goals in all competitions for the Southern Italians. He was poor at the weekend, however, as I Partenopei fell to a 1-2 defeat to Atalanta BC. Thoughts on Naples Hojlund gave an interview to Italian paper Il Mattino and is clearly happy with his choice to move to Italy. Commenting on life in the Southern Italian city, he said, “I’m not in the centre, but I’m dying to explore the alleys and heart of Naples, but I know it won’t be easy to get around. I sense the incredible energy the city exudes.” He continued, “I can feel it every moment – its vitality and personality are everywhere, not just at Maradona when we play. It’s an underestimated city, not even a little dangerous, despite so many rumours from afar.” Streaky form Much like the forward’s time at Old Trafford, his goals have come in clusters rather than being evenly spread out. When discussing this, the 23-year-old stated, “I’m like ketchup. When the sauce doesn’t come out, you’re there, struggling to get it out, then suddenly it all comes out at once. It’s the same when you don’t score for a long time. It’s an incredible joy to score, but when the team and the coach believe in you, the goal is like a flower that has to bloom, it’s just a matter of time.” Antonio Conte effect Hojlund also had kind words for his current boss, Antonio Conte, and hinted that he now has a manager capable of getting the best out of him. He claimed, “when I was in Bergamo, I was impatient; I wanted to get everything done quickly. I pressed constantly, as if I didn’t have a second chance. Now I manage my energy better; Conte guides me consistently. I always press hard because that’s what the coach asks of me, but I try to conserve my energy so I can use it at the right time.” Finally, Hojlund claimed that his side’s Super Cup win at the turn of the year demonstrated that he made the right choice to go to Napoli in the summer. Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Atalanta StatisticValue Goals0 Expected goals (xG)0.04 Assists0 Expected assists (xA)0.01 Total shots1 Shots on target0 Shots blocked0 Offsides1 Touches35 Unsuccessful touches3 Dribbles (successful)3 (2) Was fouled2 Possession lost13 Total carrying distance78.9 m Carries10 Progressive carries2 Total progression39.1 m Progressive carrying distance22.2 m Longest progressive carry13.7 m Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes16/22 (73%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)8/13 (62%) Passes in own half (acc.)8/9 (89%) Def. contributions0 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances0 Blocked shots0 Recoveries1 Ground duels (won)8 (4) Aerial duels (won)9 (3) Fouls1 Dribbled past0 Source: Sofascore Featured image Marco M. Mantovani via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.