Kevin De Bruyne appeared to question Manchester United’s decision to sell Rasmus Hojlund after the pair starred in Napoli’s Champions League win over Sporting.
Hojlund scored twice, from two Kevin De Bruyne assists, as Antonio Conte’s Napoli picked up their first win of this season’s Champions League.
A De Bruyne through ball led to Napoli’s first-half opener as Hojlund raced through on goal before slotting past Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva.
The visitors levelled just after the hour mark through Luis Suarez’s penalty but Hojlund sealed Napoli’s 2-1 win with a 79th-minute header from De Bruyne’s inviting cross.
Hojlund pointed to both the Napoli and the Champions League badge after breaking the deadlock and some fans wondered whether he was sending a message to his former club Manchester United.
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Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim sanctioned Hojlund’s departure before the summer transfer deadline after signing Benjamin Sesko in a £74m deal from RB Leipzig.
Hojlund wanted to stay at United but eventually agreed to move on, joining Napoli on an initial loan deal.
The 22-year-old, who largely struggled at Old Trafford, will seal a permanent move to Napoli next summer worth £38m if certain conditions are met.
Hojlund has joined a Napoli side bidding to retain the Serie A title and competing in the Champions League, while Manchester United are without European football altogether and currently sit in the bottom-half of the Premier League.
Denying that his celebration was a message to United, Hojlund told UEFA: ‘I celebrated touching the Napoli badge because I’m happy to play here and the Champions League badge because I love to score in Europe.
‘It was the night you dream of, playing in the Champions League. I don’t like to talk about my performance, but about the team.
‘Playing with an exceptional talent like Kevin De Bruyne is special. I just need to get into space and he’ll get me the ball.’
Hojlund also pointed out the irony of two Manchester United and Manchester City stars teaming up in a Champions League win for Napoli.
‘”Hojlund scores twice in the Champions League after two assists from Kevin De Bruyne” was not on my 2025 bingo card,’ he posted on social media.
De Bruyne, meanwhile, appeared to question United’s decision to offload Hojlund by insisting he has ‘a lot of quality’ and can ‘smell goals’.
‘Rasmus has a lot of quality and as a striker when you go forward you need that smell of goals,’ the Man City legend said.
‘It’s really important for him and the team. It’s a great night for him and it’s going to help us get more goals with him.’
Napoli began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to De Bruyne’s former side Man City but bounced back well against Portuguese champions Sporting.
Manager Conte said: ‘Sporting are a good, strong team with many key players. To win is a big achievement.’
Sporting boss Rui Borges, meanwhile, added: ‘I couldn’t be more proud. We were competitive in a great game.
‘Players with the quality and experience of Kevin De Bruyne make a big difference. We are proud, not disappointed.
‘We think game by game, so let’s see. Tonight we had chances we didn’t take, then Napoli scored the winning goal. The whole team had a great game.’
While Napoli climb to 19th in the Champions League group phase, Sporting slip back to 14th after failing to build on their opening win over Kairat.
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