Rasmus Højlund’s journey has taken a surprising turn, as Michael Owen believes his success at Napoli demonstrates that he was not solely to blame for his struggles while at Manchester United. After joining Manchester United from Atalanta in 2023, Højlund faced significant challenges on the pitch, failing to make a considerable impact.
That context matters because it highlights the role of environment in a player’s performance. Owen noted, “A striker’s performance is heavily influenced by the overall structure and effectiveness of the team.” During his time at Manchester United, Højlund struggled to find his footing, leading many to question his abilities.
In September 2025, Højlund was loaned to Napoli, where he quickly transformed his fortunes. Since joining the Serie A club, he has scored 14 goals and provided 6 assists in 40 matches. This turnaround suggests that the environment at Manchester United may have been detrimental to his development.
Owen further emphasized this point by saying, “Who’s to say he’s not very, very good? You know, he’s actually doing really well in Italy now.” His impressive stats in Serie A paint a different picture than what fans witnessed during his time in Manchester.
Højlund’s departure from Manchester United came after the signing of Benjamin Sesko, which left him surplus to requirements. Despite being deemed excess by the club, the Red Devils included a £38 million permanent transfer fee obligation for Napoli should certain conditions be met.
This situation raises questions about how players adapt when surrounded by different teammates and coaching styles. It becomes difficult to accurately assess a striker’s true quality when the team around him is underperforming—something that was evident during Højlund’s tenure at Manchester United.
The next chapter for Højlund remains uncertain as he continues to impress in Italy. Michael Owen expressed hope for Højlund’s future: “I would love to see Hojlund, what he can do now.” With Napoli seeing success with him on their roster, it will be interesting to see how this impacts his career trajectory.