Rasmus Hojlund: Napoli signed Man United star after missing first-choice target | OneFootball

Manchester United streamlined their squad over the summer after an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign where they finished 15th in the Premier League.

One of the Red Devils’ biggest issues last season was scoring goals, with the team finding the back of the net just 44 times in 38 games in the league.

Rasmus Hojlund was the focal point of the attack under former manager Erik ten Hag, as well as his replacement, Ruben Amorim, but failed to impress.

Hojlund would end the season with just 10 goals from 52 games across competitions.

Amorim’s team failed to score in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur as well and lost the game 1-0, bringing a dismal end to an abysmal season.

Hojlund lost his place to Benjamin Sesko

Reinforcing the frontline was one of United’s primary focuses this summer, with Amorim determined to address his goalscoring woes.

United would end up investing around £200m to secure a flashy new attacking trident. In came Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, arguably two of the best players in the league last season.

The Red Devils also signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig to lead the line at the Theatre of Dreams. But the Slovenian’s arrival marked the end of Hojlund’s stay at the club.

Interestingly, the Danish striker was apparently told that he is surplus to requirements after the defeat to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup second leg.

Hojlund would eventually complete a loan deal to Napoli, who have an obligation to buy him for £38m next summer if they manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League. However, it now appears that the 22 year old wasn’t the Serie A champions’ first choice this summer.

Napoli wanted Francesco Pio Esposito

According to Libero via FCInter1908, Napoli originally wanted Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito to replace Romelu Lukaku, who had picked up an injury in pre-season. Antonio Conte reportedly wanted the young Italian striker to fill Lukaku’s boots at Naples.

Pio Esposito spent last season on loan at Serie B side Spezia Calcio, registering 20 goals from 42 games in all competitions.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was apparently open to securing the Italian youngster after this impressive campaign, and was willing to offer over €40m. United were even linked with a move for the 20-year-old attacker.

However, the move never materialised, to Naples or Manchester, and Pio Esposito ended up staying at the San Siro.

The Partenopei then turned their attention to Hojlund and prised him away from United. The Red Devils have reportedly included a 5% sell-on clause in the player’s deal as well should the buy clause be triggered.

Hojlund has already scored one goal from two games for Napoli, and United are now confident that he will end up staying permanently with Napoli.

Featured image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images

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