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By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER Published: 02: 44 AEDT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 02: 44 AEDT, 1 January 2026 17 View comments Rasmus Hojlund will almost certainly be a Napoli player next season, the club's sporting director has stressed, after the Manchester United outcast has hit the ground running on the Amalfi Coast. The Denmark striker booked a late return to Serie A at the tail-end of the summer after being informed that he was not in Ruben Amorim's plans for the season ahead. The 22-year-old had joined Man United just two seasons early in a £72million deal with his former club Atalanta, but scored only four Premier League goals in his final term at Old Trafford. Since his arrival in Naples, Hojlund has already struck seven times across all competitions, and provided a further three assists alongside fellow ex-Man United star Scott Mc Tominay. For sporting director Giovanni Manna, Hojlund will continue to contribute to the club's goal tally into the 2026-27 season. 'As of today, I think so, ' Manna said when asked whether he thought making Hojlund's transfer permanent was a formality. Rasmus Hojlund looks set to continue his career at Napoli rather than return to Man United Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Manna added that the club had done 'everything we could to sign him. ' 'There were more storied clubs interested, but his will was crucial, and we are proud of it. ' Manna's bullishness that Hojlund will continue at Stadio Diego Armando Maradonna likely has to do with the terms of Napoli's agreement with Man United. His transfer move came with an obligation to buy the player for £38m should Napoli earn themselves Champions League football next season. Antonio Conte's side currently side third in the league standings - well within the qualification places - and continue to keep pace in a tight race to defend their Scudetto title just two points behind leaders Inter Milan. 'The player considers himself a Napoli player, and the same goes for us. This is extremely important, ' Manna continued. Hojlund made his sporting director's point for him publicly in the wake of Napoli's victorious Italian Super Cup triumph against Bologna before Christmas. The Danish star posted a picture of himself celebrating his first piece of silverware in Neapolitan sky blue with the pointed caption: 'What a great decision looks like'. He also underscored his desire for a move specifically to Napoli in an interview on Tuesday with Corriere dello Sport, claiming that he 'wanted to wear the Azzuri shirt straight away'. 'The first call with Conte was brief but very clear, ' he added. 'We both knew it was the right step for me. When a coach like him calls you, you just have to say yes. 'For my age, I've already played a lot, I don't think I'm an experienced player yet but, certainly, I already have a lot of games under my belt. 'I like to keep the bar high. If you're complacent, you risk slacking off. I'm always trying to improve: in goals, in my play, in my personal growth. Even in learning Italian. 'Adapting to a new culture is crucial, especially here in Italy, where the language is so important. Now I understand practically everything, even if speaking Neapolitan dialect is another thing! '
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