Manchester’s blue half is still basking in the glow of last weekend’s derby triumph.
City’s emphatic 3–0 win over United not only widened the gap at the top of the Premier League but also deepened concerns at Old Trafford over their sluggish start to the season.
Ruben Amorim’s side face mounting scrutiny after another frustrating display, with questions over attacking depth and defensive frailties dominating fan discussions.
City, meanwhile, are enduring a somewhat difficult period based on their standards, but Pep Guardiola’s men are determined to keep their momentum rolling in tonight’s Champions League clash from their emphatic derby win.
The Etihad will be expectant once more, and United supporters will be watching nervously from afar, given the history and subplots wrapped around this fixture.
One of those subplots belongs to a familiar face making a quiet yet highly anticipated return to Manchester.
Rasmus Hojlund, still officially a Manchester United player but currently on loan at Napoli, steps back into the city where he once carried the weight of United’s striking ambitions.
Hojlund was spotted with Napoli’s travelling party and was caught on camera checking out the Etihad pitch on Tuesday night, according to The Touchline via X.
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The 22-year-old Dane joined Napoli on a season-long loan in the summer, with the Italian side holding an option to buy for a fee reported to be around €44 million.
His move followed a turbulent second season at Old Trafford, where injuries and inconsistent form stalled the promise he showed after his high-profile £70 million arrival from Atalanta in 2023.
Rasmus Hojlund has quickly found his feet in Naples.
He marked his Serie A debut with a goal inside 14 minutes against Fiorentina, immediately winning over the Neapolitan faithful and earning praise from manager Antonio Conte.
The striker appears rejuvenated under Conte’s demanding but player-friendly approach, and tonight offers him a platform to prove himself on one of European football’s biggest stages.
For United fans, his return to Manchester is bittersweet.
Many will wonder whether the club were too quick to sanction the loan or whether a change of scenery was the only way for the young forward to rediscover his confidence.
Facing Manchester City at the Etihad presents Rasmus Hojlund with an opportunity to remind both sets of supporters of his talent and to show the United hierarchy what they may yet be missing.
With City still fresh from their derby victory, the added narrative of a United loanee seeking to make a statement adds extra spice to an already compelling European night.
Rasmus Hojlund and Kevin De Bruyne have arrived in Manchester for tomorrow’s game vs. Manchester City. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oQ6ggIxbzv
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 17, 2025
