Napoli Striker Rasmus Hojlund Critiques Ruben Amorim After Being ‘Put in a Box’ During Final Manchester United Stint

Rasmus Hojlund hits out at former boss Ruben Amorim, claiming he was "put in a box" before his successful move from Manchester United to Napoli.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 6:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Lewis Oldham

Rediscovering Footballing Passion in Naples

The transition from the Premier League to Serie A appears to have revitalized Rasmus Hojlund, who recently spoke about "rediscovering his love for football" following a difficult departure from Manchester United. Hojlund joined Napoli on loan last summer in a deal that included a £43m option to buy, a move triggered by a sharp decline in his form during the 2024/25 campaign. Reflecting on his current environment, the striker emphasized the importance of being at a club where the sporting director, president, and coaching staff expressed genuine belief in his capabilities, a stark contrast to his final months in England.

The Breaking Point Under Ruben Amorim

Hojlund identified a specific turning point at Manchester United when he was left out of the starting lineup for the opening match of the 2025/26 season against Arsenal. He claimed that under the leadership of then-boss Ruben Amorim, he was "put in a bit of a box," which signaled that his opportunities for consistent playing time were coming to an end. This sense of being marginalized led the forward to believe his career at Old Trafford had effectively reached its conclusion, prompting the summer move to Italy where he has since become a focal point of the Napoli attack.

Navigating Media Scrutiny and Public Perception

The young forward also addressed the intense media coverage surrounding his performance at United, particularly within his home country of Denmark. Hojlund pushed back against the narrative that his time in Manchester was "all just s*** and terrible," acknowledging that while he was aware of the negative headlines, he remained self-critical rather than defeated. He noted the difficulty of avoiding social media tags and Instagram comments, admitting that it would be a lie to claim he was entirely uninfluenced by the "media image" that portrayed his play in a derogatory light.