Manchester United supporters have been left with mixed emotions after watching Rasmus Højlund mark his Napoli debut with a goal on Saturday night. The Danish striker, who endured a frustrating two-year spell at Old Trafford, has now joined the likes of Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku in attempting to reignite his career in Naples.
Højlund had been determined to remain at United and fight for his place, but the arrival of Benjamin Šeško this summer forced his hand. The 22-year-old eventually agreed to a loan move to Serie A, with an obligation to buy included in the deal. If his first appearance is anything to go by, it could prove a smart career reset.
Thrown straight into the starting XI despite not playing a single minute of club football this season, Højlund wasted no time in making his mark. Within 15 minutes, he latched onto a pass and calmly slotted past former United goalkeeper David de Gea, giving Napoli an early lead with an assured finish into the far corner.
Beyond the goal, the Dane’s all-round display drew plaudits. He looked sharper, more involved in build-up play, and physically imposing, winning five of his seven ground duels. It was a performance that hinted at a more complete forward than the one United fans had grown used to.
Online, however, many Red Devils supporters voiced frustration rather than celebration. Social media was filled with the same recurring sentiment: players often seem to flourish only after leaving Old Trafford. “Bro left us and immediately started scoring,” one fan wrote. Another complained: “We provide zero service to our strikers. Until we fix that, this will keep happening. Happy for Højlund though, great potential in him.”
Some were more scathing in their assessment of the club’s recruitment and system. “I told you guys, he wasn’t the problem. United sold their striker for €50m and then bought the same profile again for €85m,” one supporter argued. Another put it bluntly: “Man United is the problem.” A different fan echoed the mood by summing it up in one line: “We’re a curse, bro.”
With Højlund already off the mark in Serie A, the spotlight will inevitably remain on United. As McTominay’s resurgence and Lukaku’s late-career revival have shown, there is growing concern that Old Trafford has become a graveyard for attacking talent. For now, Napoli fans can enjoy their new signing, while United fans are left wondering what might have been.
