Conte Takes Swipe at Man Utd as Hojlund Shines in Napoli Bow
Antonio Conte couldn't resist taking a playful jab at Manchester United after Rasmus Højlund's impressive first appearance for the reigning Serie A titleholders.
Although he publicly expressed his determination to remain and compete for his position at Manchester United, Højlund discovered himself excluded from Ruben Amorim's blueprint for the 2025–26 campaign. The forward was omitted from the Red Devils' initial three Premier League fixtures, driving him toward a departure before the summer transfer period concluded.
Højlund finalized a last-minute transfer to Napoli, signing with the Italian club on loan for an upfront payment of €6 million (£5.2 million, $7 million). The agreement features a mandatory buy option valued at approximately €44 million (£38 million, $51.8 million) in 2026 should Napoli secure Champions League qualification.
The Danish striker received his opportunity in Napoli's first fixture following the September international hiatus and scored within just 14 minutes of his maiden appearance. Højlund's strike proved decisive in his new team's 3–1 triumph over Fiorentina.
Following the contest, Conte addressed reporters and discussed Højlund's transition to Italy, expressing gratitude to Manchester United for providing another talent who could potentially assist Napoli in capturing trophies.
"Højlund is merely 22 years old. We acquired him from Manchester United after witnessing the fortune [Scott] McTominay delivered to us," the ex-Chelsea manager quipped.
Scott McTominay departed Manchester United after spending 22 years with the organization to join Napoli in Aug. 2024. The Scottish midfielder assisted the Red Devils in claiming two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and the Europa League before transitioning to Serie A.
The 28-year-old rapidly enhanced his performance under Conte's guidance, becoming a crucial component of Napoli's 2024–25 Serie A championship run. McTominay's inaugural season with the Italian powerhouse was so remarkable it secured him consideration for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Højlund aspires to follow a comparable trajectory to revitalize his professional journey. The striker failed to meet expectations following his original €75 million (£65 million, $87.9 million) move to Manchester United, netting only 26 goals across 95 matches for the English club.
Currently, with the confidence of a fresh manager and an environmental change, Højlund is beginning a new phase of his career.
"I've only been acquainted with [Conte] for three days, but he's an extremely straightforward coach, with whom I share excellent chemistry," Højlund told DAZN following his debut.
"I remain youthful and have much to absorb. I've encountered difficulties occasionally in certain environments, but here I've felt comfortable immediately. It's been an excellent beginning."