Rasmus Højlund opens up on Man Utd disappointment after Napoli revival

Rasmus Højlund has reflected on his difficult final period at Manchester United, admitting he reached a point where he felt the club no longer wanted him.

United paid an initial £64million to sign Højlund from Atalanta in 2023. His debut campaign produced 16 goals in all competitions, but his progress stalled during a difficult second season before he eventually joined Napoli on loan.

That move proved transformative. After scoring 12 Serie A goals last season, his Napoli switch was made permanent and the 23-year-old believes leaving Old Trafford was ultimately the right decision.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Højlund explained why Napoli arrived at the perfect moment in his career.

“I remember last year, I was in a difficult situation at United,” he said. “I even said I thought they didn't want me there anymore.”

Napoli quickly became his preferred destination after Antonio Conte personally contacted him.

“When I heard Napoli wanted me and Conte called me, I had no doubts,” Højlund added.

Despite how his United career ended, the Denmark international does not believe there was one specific reason for his struggles.

His first season included an FA Cup triumph and a strong personal goals return, but injuries and managerial changes contributed to an increasingly difficult environment.

Højlund also praised Ruben Amorim but acknowledged that adapting to another tactical approach proved challenging.

“The team had to adapt and it was complicated,” he said. “We all suffered.”

Højlund believes Manchester United's defeat to Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final was particularly significant.

“If we had won it would have been a different story,” he admitted. “That's football.”

Nevertheless, Højlund has no regrets about joining the club he supported as a youngster.

“Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes badly, but I'm very happy to have played for the club I dreamed of as a child.”

His focus is now firmly on Napoli. With his confidence restored and his permanent future settled, Højlund is again establishing himself as a significant Serie A striker and recently underlined his form with an impressive goal against Como.

Højlund can now concentrate on building upon his resurgence at Napoli, where he has rediscovered the confidence that disappeared during his final period in Manchester.

For the striker, the United chapter remains a mixed one: a childhood ambition fulfilled and some memorable achievements, but also a difficult ending that ultimately pushed his career back towards Italy.