Out-on-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund is rediscovering his spark at Napoli, where he seems more inspired and motivated to prove himself, according to football analyst Lorenzo Bettoni.
Speaking to The Manchester Evening News, the Football Italia editor explained how the Danish forward’s arrival in Italy was met with excitement — a stark contrast to his challenging spell at Old Trafford.
“When Højlund arrived, fans were everywhere,” Bettoni said. “Napoli supporters welcomed him warmly, especially after what he showed during his time at Atalanta. Even though his period at Manchester United wasn’t great, the fans were still happy to have him.”
Bettoni believes the energy of Napoli’s supporters and the influence of manager Antonio Conte have reignited Højlund’s motivation.
“You can see by the way he plays that he has something personal to prove,” Bettoni explained. “His time at United didn’t go as planned, and Conte surely talked to him about that. Now, with Romelu Lukaku injured, Højlund has a big role — he must lead the attack and show what kind of striker he really is.”
The forward’s confidence has been further boosted by his partnership with Kevin De Bruyne, who joined Napoli this season. Their link-up proved deadly in the Champions League victory over Sporting CP, though De Bruyne’s injury will keep him sidelined until February.
“We haven’t seen much of Højlund without De Bruyne yet,” Bettoni noted. “Without him, Rasmus will need to change his approach — hold the ball more, make fewer runs into space, and help build up play.”
Bettoni emphasized that adapting his style will be key for Højlund’s continued success at Napoli:
“In matches where Napoli sit deep or counter-attack, Højlund’s pace and strength will be crucial. But in other games, he’ll have to focus on linking up with wingers and midfielders, being physically solid, and involving himself more in team play.”
The Dane’s newfound confidence and determination suggest he’s ready to reclaim his reputation — and Naples might be the perfect place for that revival.
Published on November 5, 2025
By goalx365