Ruben Amorim’s decision to force Rasmus Hojlund out of Manchester United left the squad ‘shocked,’ according to one of their stars.
Hojlund was made to join Napoli on loan on deadline day against his wishes, just a year after he was considered untouchable alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. The deal includes an obligation to buy.
The striker was clear that he wanted to stay and fight for his place, but the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo for over £200million saw his prospects limited.
Hojlund had failed to live up to his £72m price tag, scoring just 26 goals in 95 games for United, but it seems his team-mates expected him to stay.
Amorim made the call to let him go and Ineos were happy to go along with it.
And Patrick Dorgu, his team-mate for United and Denmark, said via Ekstra Bladet: ‘That’s how it is in football. You never know when it’s your turn to move on.
The decision to make Rasmus Hojlund join Napoli has left Man United’s squad ‘shocked’
Patrick Dorgu says the dressing room was very surprised to see the striker leave the club
Ruben Amorim made the decision to let him go and Ineso went along with it
‘We knew that it would happen to Christian [Eriksen], but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on. I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going.
‘Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team.”
‘I have been very happy to be teammates with Christian and Rasmus. It was a big plus for me that they were at the club when I joined. That way it was easier to become part of the squad [as they are Danish too],’ he added.
‘But it was in no way decisive for my choice of Manchester United. I was thinking much more about the coach’s plans and ideas with me when I had to make the decision.’
Napoli had agreed to pay a loan fee of around £5.1million (€6m) with a mandatory purchase clause worth £38m (€44m) that it is understood will become active under certain conditions.
For Dorgu, who only arrived in the winter transfer window, Hojlund’s exit is a reminder that any player’s stock can fall quickly.
But Hojlund will experience the joy of playing in the Champions League, competing for the Serie A title, and linking up with old Red Devils team-mate Scott McTominay, who has had a storming time since joining Napoli.
United said in a statement: ‘Rasmus has agreed a move to the Serie A champions, under the management of Antonio Conte.
Scott McTominay has thrived at Npoli since leaving behind the Red Devils
‘Napoli will be the fifth club Hojlund has represented during his career, following earlier spells with Copenhagen and Sturm Graz.
‘We’d like to wish Rasmus good luck for the campaign ahead.’
Napoli’s announcement read: ‘SSC Napoli announces that it has acquired the sporting services of footballer Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United Football Club on loan with an obligation to buy.
‘Born on February 4, 2003, the Danish footballer grew up in the youth teams of Brondby, Holbaek and FC Copenhagen.
‘After a year with Sturm Graz, Rasmus joined Atalanta in August 2022, playing 34 games and scoring 10 goals. The following season, he moved to Manchester United, scoring 26 goals in 95 appearances. He scored eight goals in 26 appearances for the Danish national team. Welcome, Rasmus!’
