Rasmus Hojlund rubs salt in Man United wounds with emphatic Kevin De Bruyne message

Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund and former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne were at it for Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday

Rasmus Hojlund has posted a tongue-in-cheek message after Kevin De Bruyne assisted him TWICE during Napoli's 2-1 win against Sporting CP in the Champions League.

Hojlund, 22, left Manchester United last month to sign for Napoli on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy. The Denmark international has since made an impressive start to his career at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and netted his second and third goal for the club on Wednesday.

Indeed, Hojlund opened the scoring against Sporting in the 36th minute, getting on the end of a sublime pass from ex-Manchester City man De Bruyne before slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

After Luis Suarez levelled from the spot for Sporting, Hojlund was at it again as Napoli regained the lead in the 79th minute. De Bruyne was the provider for the second time, clipping a delightful cross into the box for Hojlund to attack and he headed the ball past the 'keeper to complete his brace.

Despite a wave of pressure from Sporting late on, Napoli held on to claim their first Champions League win of the season after losing against Manchester City a fortnight ago.

On Instagram after the game, Hojlund posted a message that could relate to both United and City fans.

Alongside two images of him celebrating his double, Hojlund said, using speech marks: "Højlund scores twice in the Champions League after two assists from Kevin de Bruyne" was not on my 2025 bingo card.

Hojlund has now found the net three times in five appearances for Napoli since his move from United, with his other goal coming on his debut against Fiorentina.

As for De Bruyne, he has made an instant impression following his switch to Naples from City in the summer, though there were some concerns about a potential rift after the Belgian cut a frustrated figure following his second-half substitution against AC Milan on Sunday.

When asked about this and his performance against Sporting, Napoli boss Antonio Conte said: "Kevin, compared to the other signings, comes from a different reality. He spent years at City and played at the very highest level.

"I have nothing to say to him, he’s a very good lad and he works hard. I understand his desire to play, but there are also substitutions. I want to win and if I make them, it’s with the intention of improving the team.

"Then it’s normal that in the media they are discussed depending on the results – the important thing is that everyone gives their all for the team."

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