Man Utd Secures Blockbuster £72m Signing: Rasmus Hojlund Joins from Atalanta!

Manchester United have completed the £72m signing of Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund.

The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months.

Hojlund, who was introduced to United fans before their friendly match against Lens at Old Trafford on Saturday, expressed his long-standing admiration for the club. He revealed, "It's no secret that I've been a fan of this amazing club since childhood and I always dreamed of stepping onto the Old Trafford pitch as a Manchester United player. This incredible opportunity allows me to turn my dream into a reality, and I'm fully committed to proving myself and showing my gratitude to the club for their belief in me."

"It may still be early in my career, but I am confident that I am prepared to take this leap and join this exceptional group of world-class players.

"After engaging in conversation with the manager, I immediately recognized that this environment would serve as an ideal catalyst for my personal growth and progress."

"I am ecstatic about the chance to collaborate with one of the world's finest coaches. With his guidance and backing, I am confident in my ability to accomplish remarkable feats alongside my newfound teammates at this extraordinary club."

United will initially compensate Atalanta with £64m for Hojlund, and an additional £8m in add-ons.

Paris Saint-Germain also expressed interest in securing the services of the Denmark international during the summer transfer window. However, his strong inclination towards joining Old Trafford instilled a sense of assurance within Manchester United regarding the completion of the agreement.

John Murtough, the football director of United, further emphasized, "Rasmus is an incredibly gifted individual. His remarkable combination of technical prowess and physical abilities places him amongst the elite players in the world within his respective age category."

"Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team, Rasmus will have the ideal platform for his development. The entire club is committed to providing him with the necessary time and support to fulfill his enormous potential.

"During the summer, we have efficiently and firmly pursued our main goals, securing them early in the transfer window."

This will guarantee Erik and his coaches with the optimal chance to ready the squad to strive for greater achievements in the upcoming thrilling campaign. United's incoming transfers are mostly finalized, having recently added Andre Onana and Mason Mount to their roster. Any further signings are expected to be contingent on player departures.

Manchester United are interested in players such as Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, and Donny van de Beek. In the event of any departures, the club is prepared to enter the transfer market and has a keen eye on signing Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

'Man Utd have solved three core squad issues'

"United are aware that Hojlund has more potential than he currently displays, but they have faith in Erik ten Hag's coaching abilities to shape him into a top-tier player.

Marcus Rashford may need to take on the role of United's main focus in some matches as he adjusts and gains more experience. In the long run, he is considered a talented player who has the potential to become world-class under Ten Hag's guidance.

Furthermore, United has successfully addressed the three main concerns regarding their squad, namely a goalkeeper, a forward, and a dynamic midfielder. This achievement has been accomplished within the club's predetermined budget, which is influenced by Financial Fair Play regulations.

Hojlund clearly expressed his preference for Old Trafford as his destination. Despite PSG expressing their interest with a non-negotiable offer, United was not concerned because they knew the player's desire to join them.

United was confident in the deal as they had conducted thorough research and managed to stay within their budget.

United have successfully negotiated with Atalanta, persuading them to lower their initial demands. While Atalanta originally asked for £77m, United managed to secure a deal for £64m, which they consider a victory.

It is important to acknowledge that this is a substantial amount for a 20-year-old player with limited experience, making it a significant investment for United.

However, they have confidence that he possesses immense potential and has the ability to thrive and reach a world-class level under Ten Hag. This essentially demonstrates their support for their manager's coaching skills and the evaluations made by the scouts regarding Hojlund.

"We were informed that the increase in United's asking price was not due to PSG entering the competition. Instead, it was solely driven by the urgency to finalize the deal before the season begins, to allow the player sufficient time to train with the team and be prepared for the start of the season."

"They feel a compromise has been reached even though they've gone higher than they probably would have liked to."

Analysis: Hojlund has huge potential

We' football feature writer Adam Bate:

Rasmus Hojlund has become a sensation following an impressive campaign in Serie A, and Manchester United is placing their bets on this 20-year-old prodigy to become the next leading striker in European football. However, the question is: how can they extract the maximum potential from this talented Danish player?

Sturm Graz employed a strategic approach that required Hojlund to make incisive runs behind the opposing defense. "This style demands an abundance of sprinting and rapid decision-making from our strikers, and I firmly believe that these are Rasmus' significant strengths," head coach Christian Ilzer shared with We.

It was crucial that our philosophy and style were a perfect match for his skillset, creating an optimal environment for him to thrive. Adding Ras to our team was a fantastic decision, considering his impressive abilities. His exceptional speed, overall physicality, and strong work ethic in defensive efforts were invaluable assets.

Ten Hag will be happy to have a forward who can press aggressively, but it is important to remain patient. Hojlund shows potential, but Manchester United will need to witness notable improvement to validate the investment.

He successfully made strides at Sturm Graz and further advanced at Atalanta. This upcoming stage is crucial.

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