Rasmus Hojlund insists his time at Manchester United wasn't as bad as the media portrayed it, and that public pressure had distorted the perception of the situation.
Rasmus Hojlund has spoken out directly for the first time about his time at Manchester United, where he faced much criticism before moving to Napoli in the 2025/26 season.
In an interview with TV2 Sport, the Danish striker stated that the media, particularly in his homeland, creates a more negative image of him than it actually is. “I’m still very happy playing football in Manchester. But the media, especially in Denmark, paints a picture that everything is terrible and that I play very poorly. That’s not how I see it,” Hojlund shared.
From the outside, leaving Manchester United to join Napoli was seen as a move to "rescue" his career and rediscover the joy of playing football. However, Hojlund rejects this interpretation. For him, it's not simply a matter of failure or success, but a multifaceted process.
The striker, born in 2003, also acknowledged the significant influence of the media in the modern world of football. “The media has a very strong voice, and it’s difficult not to be influenced. But football always has many different perspectives. Therefore, I always remind myself not to fly too high, but also not to fall too low,” he added.
After moving to Napoli, Hojlund quickly rediscovered his form. Under the guidance of coach Antonio Conte, he scored 13 goals in all competitions and was considered one of the bright spots in the attack.
By December 2025, the striker will have helped Napoli win the Italian Super Cup, and he called his decision to leave Manchester United "the right choice".
Nevertheless, Hojlund does not deny the value of his time in England. For him, it remains an important part of his development journey.
At the national team level, this striker is expected to play a key role in Denmark's World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins with the play-off matches taking place next weekend.