Hojlund’s Revival at Napoli Amidst Changes at Manchester United

After facing difficulties in finding his form under the management of Ruben Amorim, Rasmus Hojlund was deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United last summer.

The 22-year-old striker, who managed to score only 10 goals in 52 appearances during the 2024-25 season, expressed a desire to remain and compete for his position with the Red Devils; unfortunately, he was instead nudged closer to the exit.

However, following his loan move to Italian champions Napoli in September, which includes an obligation to buy, Hojlund has since thrived under the guidance of Antonio Conte.

The former Atalanta forward has netted six goals in 16 league appearances this season, in addition to scoring twice in five Champions League matches and once in the Supercoppa Italiana, which Napoli secured with a 2-0 victory over Bologna in December.

As Hojlund flourished in Naples, Amorim was dismissed from his role at Manchester United at the beginning of January. The former Sporting CP coach was relieved of his duties following a breakdown in relations with the club’s management, reportedly due to criticism of his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

United subsequently appointed former player Michael Carrick as their caretaker manager until the end of the season. In a statement following Amorim’s departure, the club acknowledged, “With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity for the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution and wishes him well for the future.”

In the wake of Amorim’s exit, Conte has publicly criticized his treatment of Hojlund. Ahead of Napoli’s league match against Sassuolo, the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager remarked, “Some young coaches nowadays are arrogant and don’t want to adapt. They see a young striker struggling, and rather than training him, they blame him. They always complain and shift blame onto others instead of reflecting on themselves, as everything is handed to them on a silver platter.”

As Hojlund, Conte, and Napoli strive to keep pace with Serie A leaders Inter Milan, Manchester United will be aiming for a morale-boosting victory against their rivals, Manchester City, in Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford.

In preparation for his first match in charge since replacing Amorim, Carrick expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I’m here because I enjoy the role and I’m privileged to be in this position. This doesn’t change with the term or its length; I’m here to do my best. I hope my experience helps guide us.”

Inheriting a United squad low on confidence after their FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, Carrick views his arrival as a “fresh start” for his players, who currently sit seventh in the league, just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

“I believe in the team, and I know how quickly things can change if we build confidence,” Carrick added. “While I’m not going to reveal all our strategies, we have a clear vision of how we want to play and the positive impact it can have on our success.”