Man United Fans Congratulate Rasmus Hojlund After Napoli Brace Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne

Rasmus Hojlund pointed to the Champions League badge on the sleeve of his Napoli shirt on Wednesday night as he celebrated scoring his first goals at elite European level in almost 23 months.

Hojlund bagged a brace as Napoli beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Italy, with both goals assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.

The pair were Manchester rivals last season, with Hojlund at United and De Bruyne at City. But City legend De Bruyne left the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer in July, before Hojlund left United on loan at the start of September.

Rasmus Hojlund finding form after leaving Man United

Hojlund — who will join Napoli permanently at the end of the season as long as the club qualify for next season’s Champions League — scored just four goals in his final 37 games for United.

After Wednesday’s impressive showing, he already has four in his first seven games in a Napoli shirt, having previously struck in Serie A wins over Sassuolo and Fiorentina.

Posting on Instagram after Wednesday’s win, the Danish international wrote: “‘Hojlund scores twice in the Champions League after two assists from Kevin De Bruyne’ was not on my 2025 bingo card.”

Man United fans congratulate Rasmus Hojlund after Napoli beat Sporting

Many of the replies suggested that Hojlund’s struggles at United may have been more down to the lack of service from his teammates, rather than his own shortcomings as a forward.

The top comment read: “He was never bad. Just no one was creating for him at United, happy for you man.”

Another fan added: “You see the difference when a striker gets the service and support he needs?”

A third comment read: “I knew he wasn’t the problem.”

One Man United supporter wrote: “As a United fan we are circus of dreams… He was my favourite MU player, he wanted to stay but they sold him.”

A message from a different United fan read: “So happy for you Rasmus! Just shows what you can do with the right players around you.”

Among the thousands of other comments were countless more messages of good will from United fans, as well as plenty of praise for De Bruyne.

Kevin De Bruyne on fire in Italy after free transfer from Man City

De Bruyne’s two Champions League assists on Wednesday came after he had started his Serie A career with Napoli by scoring three goals in his first five games.

Neither Hojlund nor De Bruyne were shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or this year, but Napoli teammate and fellow ex-Manchester lad Scott McTominay finished 18th in the 2025 vote — ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland.

Next up for Hojlund and Napoli is a home game against Genoa on Sunday. A win could take them top of Serie A.