Erik ten Hag was wrong with what he said about Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United sources

How can a striker who scored five goals in 32 games for Copenhagen, 12 goals in 21 games for Sturm Graz and ten goals in 34 games for Atalanta be worth £64million? Answer: he joined the same agency that represented the Manchester United manager.

The question could be a joke with that punchline. One only needed to glance at Rasmus Hojlund's modest goalscoring record in three weaker leagues to know he should never have been bought by United.

No scouting was required. Hojlund was 20-and-a-half when he was paraded on the Old Trafford pitch. United's preferred target, Harry Kane, was ten years older.

United had vowed not to spend more than £60m on Hojlund. Agency sources valued him at between £20m and £30m. West Ham United were touted as possible suitors before United shortlisted Hojlund in the spring of 2023. Intermediaries who negotiated the Hojlund deal have privately admitted their embarrassment.

As the film critic Mark Kermode says before he enters a screening room, one has to go in with an open mind. Erik ten Hag sold Hojlund impressively, describing him as unique in a conversation with confidants on the day United agreed a fee rising to £72m with Atalanta.

Hojlund was quick, smart and physical, Ten Hag argued. He felt Hojlund had the "smell" to make runs into the box. Ten Hag trumpeted Hojlund's purportedly proven goalscoring record and cited his goals for Denmark.

As of July 2023, Hojlund had pillaged six goals in his first six games for Denmark, netting a hat-trick against Finland, two against Kazakhstan and an equaliser against Slovenia in European Championship qualifiers. Since Hojlund joined United, he has managed one goal in 16 for Denmark and is goalless in his past 12 appearances.

Ten Hag assured his confidants