United statement

United’s statement partly reads, “Rasmus Hojlund has joined Napoli on a permanent transfer.”

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Rasmus all the very best for the future.”

Hojlund joined United in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta. The Red Devils forked out £72m to land him. However, he struggled to justify his massive price tag.

Tasked with leading the line for United during a tumultuous period for the club, Hojlund struggled under the weight of expectations, a struggle epitomised by the meagre four Premier League goals he managed in 2024/25. Against his wishes, United loaned him out to Napoli last summer.

He enjoyed a positive loan spell at Napoli, contributing 16 goals and six assists across all competitions. United inserted an obligation for Napoli to buy him permanently if they secured Champions League football.

Upon completion of this goal, Hojlund himself bid farewell to the Old Trafford faithful via social media.

Now, United have announced as much. It’s understood that United have received €50m from offloading the Denmark international.

Manchester United received €50m from Napoli for Rasmus Hojlund, including the loan and transfer fees. Chance for Benjamin Sesko to take the No. 9 shirt at Old Trafford now if he wants it. His Premier League record stacks up well against Hojlund #mufc

𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐣𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐝… pic.twitter.com/9PmO11MrJv

— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) June 3, 2026

Striker plans

With Hojlund gone and uncertainty also surrounding the future of Joshua Zirkzee, United may have little choice but to dip into the market for a new striker.

If Zirkzee also leaves, that would leave Benjamin Sesko as the only other senior and natural striker in Michael Carrick’s ranks. This simply cannot hold for a season that includes a Champions League return.

At the moment, United appear to be prioritising midfield reinforcements. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that a full agreement is in place for Ederson to join the club from Atalanta.

United are also looking at other midfielders including Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. Even so, United must make sure they aren’t left short up front.

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Manchester United had two players in loan action over the weekend.

To find out where all of Manchester United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here.

Rasmus Hojlund

All in all, Hojlund can be very happy with how his loan move has worked out at SSC Napoli.

It was also confirmed that he has done enough to secure a permanent move to the Italians this summer. The Dane finished the season strongly with a goal in Napoli’s final match against Udinese.

He was played through on goal and calmly found the back of the net with a low right-footed effort across the keeper.

It was his 16th goal of the season in a promising first campaign for the Gli Azzurri.

He had a total of two shots, with both hitting the target.

Hojlund also completed 100% of his dribbles and made two key passes in an all-round impressive game. The Dane also made 100% of his passes and won three duels for his team.

Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Udinese

Marcus Rashford

The Englishman started the game in Valencia’s 3-1 victory over already-crowned champions FC Barcelona.

He made four key passes in the match and completed three of his 11 crosses.

Rashford also completed an impressive 89% of his passes for La Blaugrana.

He completed 100% of his long ball attempts and made one successful dribble.

The 28-year-old was poor in his duelling, though, winning just one out of seven attempts.

Rashford will now head to the World Cup with England and will hope to secure a permanent move to Barcelona before the summer is over.

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In the latest instalment in the Peoples Person’s 2026 Transfer Series, Scott Eckersley gets to live out his Football Manager fantasies. These are his picks:

Outgoings

1. Manuel Ugarte

The Reds’ decades-in-the-making lack of a consistent midfield presence meant that Manuel Ugarte’s signing from Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2024 was well-received. His subsequent failure to impose himself in a red shirt makes him the first outgoing on my list. Finding a buyer willing to take a leap of faith on the Uruguayan could be a problem — one Manchester United have bumped up against a few times in recent years. It is to be hoped that his agent, Jorge Mendes, still has enough of his famous clout to fix a permanent transfer. If so, a fee of around £25 million would seem about right.

2. Joshua Zirkzee

Although fitful, there have been glimpses of Joshua Zirkzee‘s quality during his time at Manchester United. Sadly, he has never fully convinced as either an unorthodox striker or silky No.10. There is definitely a player in there, but he does not seem to have the tools — or the big-game mentality — to impose himself on an increasingly physical Premier League. As with Ugarte, the sale makes sense, but the fee probably will not exceed £20 million.

3. Andre Onana

It is in nobody’s best interests for Andre Onana to return to Old Trafford this summer. Manchester United have already moved on to better things with the excellent Senne Lammens, and if returning loanee Radek Vitek can be convinced to play backup, the young Czech would be a more reassuring support act than the inconsistent Cameroonian. Onana himself almost certainly would not welcome a role on the margins at this stage in his career. A parting of the ways seems inevitable, with a mooted fee of around £15 million.

4. Lisandro Martinez

On his day, Lisandro Martinez is one of the best centre-backs in the league. He is decisive in the tackle, incisive on the ball, and has become a big fan favourite over his time at Old Trafford. Even so, his injury record has become a major concern, with him missing almost 100 games across four campaigns. Jason Wilcox and company need to be ruthless for the squad to kick on from here, and the perennially injured players are an obvious place to start. If the transfer committee can find a low-cost alternative to Licha’s famous grinta — more on that below — a fee of around £35 million could be used to address bigger problems elsewhere.

5. Marcus Rashford

If you had told a Stretford Ender five years ago that Marcus Rashford would win the league in 2026, they would have started planning for title 21. That it happened in Barcelona colours, with Manchester United having forced him out, says plenty about how far his stock has fallen. Some might cite a lack of left-sided attackers as cause to bring him back. For most, his obvious disinterest towards the end of his days in United red means few tears will be shed over a final, definitive parting of ways. Here is hoping Barcelona pull the trigger on that €30 million (£26 million) option to buy.

Incomings

1. Aurelien Tchouameni

If there is one signing that could define Carrick’s first summer, it is this one. At 26, and with a Champions League winner’s medal already in his cabinet, Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is entering the peak years of his career. His reading of the game, physicality, and ability to protect a back line make him exactly the kind of midfielder Manchester United have been missing for the better part of a decade.

And the door may be opening. The aftermath of at least two reported training-ground altercations with Real star Fede Valverde — and a disappointing season for the club in general — suggests this could be a summer of churn at the Bernabeu. The asking price will be steep, potentially around £80 million. But if Manchester United are serious about closing the gap to the top two, they need to be first in line for the world-class Frenchman.

2. Lewis Hall

Find it tedious when a contemporary player gets described as a ‘classic Fergie signing’? Look away now.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is the epitome of the kind of move the great man made at his height; young, exciting, still improving, and already operating at a level that belies his age. Prising an England international from a bitter rival in a World Cup year is not something Manchester United should do for just anyone. It might not be straightforward, but Hall is already one of the best left-backs in the country, and the Magpies’ uncertain finances mean he could be secured for around £70 million. He would be worth every penny.

3. Mateus Fernandes

Ordinarily, signing a midfielder who has been relegated twice in successive seasons with separate clubs would be a tough sell. West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes is perhaps a worthy exception, though. The Portuguese ace has thrived since moving into a deeper role earlier this season, and his mixture of tireless work rate and technical ability has made him one of the division’s emerging star men.

At just 21, Fernandes has only skimmed the surface of his obvious potential. With the Hammers on the cusp of relegation, this could be a one-time opportunity to nail down the next miniature maestro off the Portuguese production line for around £60 million. The fact he idolises Old Trafford compatriot and namesake Bruno probably will not harm Manchester United’s chances.

4. Marcos Senesi

Crucially, he is also available on a free transfer. As an experienced option while Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro continue to develop, signing Senesi would be one of the shrewder pieces of business Manchester United could do this summer. Sometimes the ‘smaller’ moves are the ones that make a big difference.

5. Robert Lewandowski

Yes, this is the kind of move Ed Woodward might have conjured during a fever dream. Maybe he was ahead of his time after all.

Regardless, Michael Carrick cannot go into next season with only Benjamin Sesko as his only proper striker. At 37, Lewandowski is no long-term solution, but as a Zlatan-style impact signing, the logic might not be as far-fetched as it sounds. The Pole has averaged more than a goal per game across four seasons at Barcelona, and brings an immense winning mentality to any dressing room. Over a decade after Fergie first tried to sign him, could ‘Lewa’ be tempted into one final Mancunian fling? If Manchester United can handle the wages, he could be a shrewd stopgap (and perfect role model for the emerging Sesko).

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That being said, the Red Devils do often sell players, whether that is because the player wants a new challenge or feels they have achieved everything there is to achieve at Old Trafford. Of these sales, 11 players have moved on for a fee of £20 million or more, with United receiving healthy profits on just some of these deals.

Here we take a look at the seven players for whom United have received the highest transfer fees.

Dan James

Dan James made the perfect start to his United career by scoring on his debut against Chelsea and quickly became a key element of Manchester United’s counter-attacking threat. His blistering pace was an incredible asset that gave defenders nightmares and helped him register 18 goal involvements during his time at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, there were limits to James’ game and it soon became clear he was not quite at the level required for United to kick on and become a team that challenged for titles. As a result, the Welshman was sold to Leeds United for £25 million in September 2021, earning the Red Devils a £10 million profit on the deal.

Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay did not quite get the respect his tenacity and excellent finishing deserved during his time at Old Trafford. The Scottish international was often used as a scapegoat when the team lost, despite the former academy star making over 250 appearances for the club and scoring 29 goals.

McTominay moved to Napoli for £25.7 million on deadline day in 2024 and has since gone on to become one of the most exciting central midfielders in world football. In just 79 appearances, the central midfielder has registered 37 goal involvements, and his excellent performances earned him a nomination for the Ballon d’Or in 2025.

Rasmus Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund arrived at Old Trafford amid a transitional period for the club and, despite being just 20 years old, was tasked with leading the line for the Red Devils. Although he did produce some excellent performances, the task proved too big for the Danish international, who managed just 26 goals in 95 appearances.

Hojlund departed Old Trafford last summer, heading to Napoli on an initial season-long loan that would become an obligation should the Italian side qualify for the Champions League. The striker’s incredible performances across the season helped secure qualification to Europe’s elite football competition and, as a result, made his transfer permanent.

Alejandro Garnacho

It once seemed as though Alejandro Garnacho would be the future of United’s attack, with the academy product bursting onto the scene with his explosive pace and mind-boggling skills. The Argentinian international made 144 appearances for the mighty Reds, registering an impressive 48 goal involvements.

Unfortunately, a breakdown in the relationship between Garnacho and Ruben Amorim led to the academy graduate joining Chelsea for £40 million in 2025, in what is the biggest ever fee United have received for an academy graduate.

Angel di Maria

Excitement was high when Angel di Maria arrived at United in the summer of 2014. The former Real Madrid winger was seen as one of the best attackers in the world and fans believed he would transform United’s attack, which was stuttering at the time.

Unfortunately, the playmaker never settled in Manchester, mostly due to a horrific robbery that took place at his family home. As a result, Di Maria was sold to PSG just a year after he arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £44 million.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is another example of a United player who hit the ground running at Old Trafford only for his performance levels and goal-scoring prowess to fade away as time went on. The Belgian striker scored just 12 times in his final season at Old Trafford, despite making 32 appearances.

Lukaku signed for Inter Milan in 2019 for an eye-watering fee of £73 million, with the Belgian international quickly rediscovering his form and re-establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Unsurprisingly, Portuguese superstar and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is the player United have sold for the highest fee. It was, of course, a reluctant sale, with Sir Alex Ferguson desperate to keep hold of his star man. But Ronaldo had his heart set on a dream move to Real Madrid and the legendary Scottish manager granted his wish.

Madrid signed Ronaldo in the summer of 2009 for a then world-record fee of £80 million, reflecting his status as one of the best players in the world. Ronaldo was a monumental success in Spain, scoring 450 goals in just 438 appearances.

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Manchester United had two players in loan action on Sunday.

To find out where all of Manchester United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here.

Rasmus Hojlund

The Dane helped Napoli secure a 3-0 away win over Pisa to consolidate their place in next season’s Champions League.

Hojlund scored a goal and provided an assist as he also sealed his permanent switch to Italy.

After officially claiming their spot in next season’s Champions League, Napoli were obligated to trigger their permanent move for Hojlund.

He grabbed an assist in the 21st minute when he casually laid the ball off for Scott McTominay to sweep into the bottom corner in style.

Hojlund then sealed a great performance with a goal in the 91st minute of the contest.

The striker showed great instinct to twist his body to guide a fierce cross into the back of the net for the Southern Italians.

He only completed six passes in the game, though, and no accurate crosses. The Dane also only won one of his four ground duels.

Hojlund sent a farewell message to Manchester United fans after the game on social media to personally confirm his exit from the club.

Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Pisa

Jacob Devaney

The Irishman came on for the second half of St Mirren’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

He made two key passes in the match and completed 86% of his passes.

Devaney did not have any shots on goal, but he did carry the ball forward an impressive 13 times, showing great drive and determination.

He also won both his tackles and an impressive four out of five ground contests.

Devaney will now return to Manchester United and will hope to be given a chance to impress in the club’s pre-season training.

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Permanent exit

Earlier this afternoon, it emerged that Hojlund has completed a permanent transfer to Napoli following the Italian club’s qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Hojlund joined Napoli on an initial loan deal last summer. This deal included an obligation for the move to become permanent if the Partenopei secure Champions League football.

Antonio Conte’s side booked their place in the competition by beating Pisa 3-0, giving themselves a comfortable five-point advantage over fifth-placed Como with one Serie A game left to play. Hojlund played a key role in the victory, setting up Scott McTominay’s opener before getting on the score sheet himself in second-half stoppage time.

The strike marked Hojlund’s 15th in 43 appearances for Napoli.

Last week, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that United are in line to receive a total package of €50m from parting ways with the Denmark international.

Hojlund has seemingly confirmed as much, as he took to social media to pen a farewell message to United.

Hojlund’s message

The 23-year-old wrote, “This goal felt symbolic because it means two things.”

“We now secured Champions League with Napoli, which means because of my contract I’m now officially a Napoli player and I’m saying goodbye to Manchester United.”

“That feels weird, because for the past year I already feel like a Napoli player. The way you fans supported me, made me feel like home and let me find my confidence again is something I’m so grateful for.”

“To say goodbye to Manchester United is something that kinda feels emotional too. My childhood dream came true by playing at Old Trafford in a red jersey.”

He added, “So the goal today symbolizes a new confident start, in which I will give everything for the time ahead to Napoli, and a thank you to all the fans, players and staff of Manchester United who made the dream I had as a kid come true. It’s time for new dreams, so let’s chase them.”

Meanwhile, United guaranteed themselves to finish in third place in the Premier League table by beating Nottingham Forest 3-2. Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo grabbed United’s goals.

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Manchester United had a field day going forward against Nottingham Forest, scoring three times in the Old Trafford win.

Former United stars Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund also enjoyed their outing for Napoli on Sunday, as they both got on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win over Pisa.

The victory in Pisa secures qualification to next season’s Champions League for Napoli, as well as seals the fate of Hojlund.

Manchester United’s first summer sale now over the line

According to The Athletic, Rasmus Hojlund is set to join Napoli in a permanent €44 million (£38m) transfer from Manchester United, after the Serie A giants secured Champions League qualification.

United also received a significant loan fee for the former Atalanta man at the start of the campaign.

Hojlund moved to Naples on a season-long loan deal with a conditional obligation to make the move permanent should Napoli secure a place in Europe’s premier club competition for 2026-27.

The win over Pisa gives Napoli an unassailable five-point lead over fifth-placed Como with one game of the Serie A season remaining.

Hojlund assisted Scott McTominay for the first-half opener and added to his goal tally in second-half stoppage time. This was the Denmark international’s 23rd goal involvement for the team in blue, a very encouraging return, all things considered.

The €44m fee is substantially less than the initial €75m United paid to sign him, but it still makes Hojlund the club’s fifth-largest sale of all time and ensures the Red Devils avoid making a loss on his amortised book value.

Time to replace Joshua Zirkzee

United replaced Hojlund with Benjamin Sesko, who has enjoyed a promising maiden season in the Premier League. As such, it is fair to say the transfer has worked out for all parties.

Now, INEOS’s aim should be to bring in another striker to replace Joshua Zirkzee, who, like Hojlund, has struggled with the Premier League’s physicality and intensity.

In our TPP 2026 Transfer series, I suggested United should explore the possibility of bringing back the prolific Danny Welbeck on the cheap, with the majority of the club’s budget likely to be spent on overhauling the midfield.

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Goal drought

Hojlund enjoyed a superb start to life at Napoli after joining the club last summer from United on a season-long loan. United sold him after he struggled to make an impact following his £72m move from Atalanta.

The Dane has scored 10 goals and provided an additional five assists in 31 Serie A appearances.

However, he has struggled to find the back of the net over the past few weeks. Monday’s 3-2 loss to Bologna marked the sixth consecutive game in which Hojlund has failed to get on the scoresheet.

He registered an assist for Alisson Santos as the Partenopei attempted to mount a comeback, but concerns over his goalscoring form are still there.  But Conte has insisted that he is not worried about Hojlund, even as the season nears its end.

Hojlund defence

Conte told DAZN, “Let’s not forget that he’s the only striker we have in the squad; he’s always playing.”

“This season, we should have had the opportunity to rest him and bring him on during the game. He has so much energy.”

“There are times when you have to attack the depth and others when you have to protect the ball.”

The Italian coach added, “He has excellent qualities, he’s only 23 and has significant room for improvement. We can’t say anything about him at all.”

The result left Napoli in second place in the Serie A table, three points above AC Milan in the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

Sunday’s meeting with bottom-of-the-table Pisa Sporting Club is a must-win if Conte and his players are to secure their spot in the elite continental competition. Napoli’s obligation to sign Hojlund permanently is dependent on their qualification for the Champions League.

However, Napoli have made it clear they want to keep Hojlund, irrespective of whether or not they’re in the Champions League.

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Manchester United had one player in loan action on Monday night.

To find out where all of Manchester United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here.

Rasmus Hojlund

The Napoli president has all but confirmed that they will be signing the Danish striker in the summer.

Hojlund has had an up-and-down season with the Italians.

He has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions.

Nonetheless, he has also gone on long stretches without scoring, and his goals have tended to come in clusters.

Performance versus Bologna

Napoli blew a huge chance to secure Champions League football next season by losing out 2-3 at home to Bologna.

The Dane was involved in both Napoli goals, though. For the first, he held the ball up well close to goal, but his pass was deflected. Luckily, from a Napoli perspective, it bounced to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who fired in.

His involvement in the second goal was even more clear-cut, and he grabbed an assist.

Hojlund once again showed strength in the box to hold off the Bologna defence and played a neat ball around the corner that was smartly finished by Alisson Santos.

The striker had one key pass but failed in both his dribble attempts.

He also completed 82% of his passes in the match and carried the ball progressively up the pitch once during the match.

Hojlund also came out on top in three of his eight duel attempts against the visitors’ defence.

Napoli and Hojlund will have another chance to seal Champions League qualification when they travel to Pisa on Sunday afternoon.

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Imminent exit

Hojlund has enjoyed a slight uptick in fortunes since departing United for Napoli on a season-long loan last summer.

At United, he struggled to justify the £72m fee that United forked out to secure his services from Atalanta. His four Premier League goals last season proved to be the final nail in the coffin, prompting United to offload him against his wishes.

The Dane has notched 10 goals and provided an additional four assists for Napoli in 30 Serie A appearances this season.

His last league goal came in March against Lecce, but this has done little to change Napoli’s mind. The Partenopei are still expected to exercise their obligation to sign him on a permanent basis. This obligation is dependent on Gli Azzuri securing Champions League football.

However, as recently as last week, sporting director Giovanni Manna confirmed that Hojlund is in their plans and they will sign him irrespective of whether or not they are in the Champions League.

As it stands, Hojlund is all but guaranteed to be a Napoli player moving forward and now, Fabrizio Romano has shed more light on the financials of the deal, revealing the total package United are set to receive.

Hojlund update

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said, “United could get the final green light, the official approval to receive €44m, a total package of €50m, for Rasmus Hojlund.”

“Because if Napoli get official qualification for Champions League football on Monday, the obligation to buy for Hojlund will be activated.”

“So Manchester United are set to receive €44m on top of the €6m they already received last year in August 2025 from Napoli for the loan deal.”

The Italian journalist continued, “The €50m package is set to be activated next week for Hojlund. He will also have a release clause in his contract from June 2027, not this summer, but from next summer, valid for €85m.”

“So that is the story on Hojlund, and obviously it is extra money for Manchester United. That is an important topic.”

Meanwhile, United are next in action on Sunday when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford.

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