What the CEO of Rasmus Hojlund's former club 'still tells' Man Utd after £72 million signing

Last August, Manchester United made their marquee signing of the summer when they agreed a £64 million deal, plus £8 million in add-ons, for Danish striker Rasmus Højlund.

The 21-year-old turned heads after scoring 16 goals for Atalanta during the 2022/23 season and the Serie A side were not willing to let him go easy. Prior to his eventual move to Old Trafford, Højlund's former club were looking for a fee of £86 million before considering parting ways with the striker but United stood firm that they did not want to pay more than £60 million for his signature.

A middle ground offer was eventually settled on but it seems Atalanta continue to rue short-selling themselves, especially with Højlund now setting the Premier League alight after finally finding his groove.

The Denmark international impressed during United's Europa League run, bagging five goals in his first four appearances in the tournament with the Reds. However, his progress in the Premier League was more of a slow burn and the longer he went without his maiden goal, the louder his critics became.

Højlund painstakingly went more than 1,000 minutes in England's top flight without scoring a goal, before finally breaking his duck and firing in a late winner against Aston Villa. The whole footballing world felt the youngster's passion, delight and overall relief as he roared to celebrate his first Premier League goal.

Since then, Højlund has been a real menace in front of goal for his new side. He missed the match against Nottingham Forest due to illness, which United lost, but after returning against Tottenham Hotspur, he can't stop scoring and the Reds haven't lost a game.

In his last five appearances, Højlund has contributed five goals and two assists. According to The Athletic, Atalanta's CEO Luca Percassi 'still tells' United's football director John Murtough that his club bagged themselves a bargain when they haggled the Italians down from their original valuation of their star striker.