Pride and surprise - the inside reaction to Rasmus Hojlund's Manchester United transfer

Former teammates of Rasmus Hojlund are in awe of the striker's rapid rise as he gets set to become a big-money signing for Manchester United.

The young Dane has undergone a medical ahead of his £72million move to the Reds, just a year after arriving at Atalanta. His 14 goal involvements across all competitions for the Italian side, plus his prolific start at international level, were enough to convince United that the striker has the potential to be a long-term solution for the club.

Having been given his senior debut at FC Copenhagen, aged 17, Hojlund spent a little under two years as part of the first team squad, but it was not until his short stint with Austrian side Sturm Graz that his goalscoring ability truly came to the fore. One of his former Copenhagen teammates has admitted it took Hojlund time to adjust but said he has been amazed at his progress since leaving Denmark.

READ: Rasmus Hojlund completes Manchester United medical

Defender Kevin Diks played alongside the United-bound forward during the 2021/22 campaign and certainly did not envisage the then teenage Hojlund would be heading to Old Trafford in the near future. However, the Dutchman insists the striker’s journey highlights the importance of finding the right clubs to help accelerate a player’s development.

"I am happy for him. When he was younger it was a bit difficult for him, but now you can see how things can change in football,” Diks said. “ If you believe in yourself and the coaches and teams you play for believe in you, anything can happen.

"Look at him now. He will soon be a Manchester United player - how crazy is that? Who would have thought that when he was here a few years ago? All I can say is that I am proud of him and that he can