One of the former Manchester United players, Rasmus Hojlund, scored the match-winner to help Napoli beat Genoa in a Serie A match last weekend.
It was Hojlund’s fourth goal in six matches for the Italian champions. He is on loan to Napoli from Manchester United, who opted to have Benjamin Sesko as their centre-forward.
Hojlund scored only 26 goals in 95 appearances for the Red Devils, which probably does not do justice to his talent. However, under-performance while being at Manchester United is a malaise that has not affected Hojlund only.
Former Manchester United Players Performing Well for Other Clubs
Hojlund is not the only one of the former Manchester United players whose career has gotten a fresh lease of life since leaving United.
Scott McTominay, who was signed by Napoli in 2024 after having spent seven seasons at Old Trafford, played a key role in the South Italian club winning the Serie A last season. McTominay was also adjudged the Player of the Season in 2024/25 in Serie A.
Then there is Marcus Rashford, who is now on loan to Barcelona and keeps matching the lofty standards of his new employers. Rashford has scored three goals and registered five assists in 10 matches for the Catalan giants. Before that, he had performed quite decently during another loan spell at Aston Villa as well.
Both Rashford and Hojlund technically aren’t former Manchester United players, but are plying their trade at other clubs at the moment.
Antony, often billed as one of the most disappointing signings in the history of Manchester United, scored only 12 goals in 96 matches for them, but managed to find the net nine times in only 26 matches for Real Betis last season after he was loaned to them.
One cannot forget Jadon Sancho in this context either, as he performed considerably better during his loan stints at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea than he did at Manchester United.
This contrast in performances has thus happened for a number of players. Hence, it cannot simply be a coincidence that players suddenly start performing at a higher level immediately after leaving the club.
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Is the Manchester United Culture To Blame?
The Manchester United culture does not seem to be conducive to good performances. The club finished in 14th position in the Premier League table last season and have started the current one in underwhelming fashion as well.
There have been some impressive performances here and there, but that is not enough for one of the biggest brands in world football.
Unless the standards improve, United will fail to become a preferred destination for top players. A new stadium is not the only change needed at the club. Maybe they need a change in their approach as well at the moment.
As of now, a lot of quality players will think twice before coming to United. The career graphs of players Manchester United rejected, like Hojlund, Rashford, McTominay, and Antony will be there in front of them.
Chopping and changing managers is not the solution either, though it becomes necessary at times.
It now remains to be seen whether Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, three new signings at Manchester United, manage to do justice to their price tags. Each of those three has had a decent start at the club, but now it is up to them to prove that United can breed quality players, too.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Insidefoto
Recording Date: 05.10.2025