IT was in the earthy and ramshackle main stand of Kenilworth Road that Erik ten Hag finally expressed a sense of vindication.
"We are very happy with our recruitment," were his first words in response to a question about Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund has notched a goal in each of his past six appearances for United and has eight in eight. He is on 13 goals, one shy of the 14 Dimitar Berbatov tallied in 2008-09.
The Berbatov comparison is useful. Berbatov was, at £30.75million, a club-record signing on that extraordinary transfer deadline day in September 2008. He was relocating north of the M6, having spent two talismanic years at Tottenham.
Berbatov was also 27 when he joined United, not 20 - as Hojlund was. Berbatov's 14 goals were spread across the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, as Hojlund's 13 have been.
Berbatov's first season was decidedly mixed. He was so polarising a minority of supporters booed him as he warmed up against Portsmouth three days after an unsuccessful FA Cup semi-final penalty that was taken so casually it belonged in a testimonial match.
So, barring a sudden unfortunate set of events, Hojlund is poised to enjoy a successful first season with United on an individual basis. His stock is so high he should be aiming to break the 20-goal barrier. That would likely end any further mention of his £72m transfer fee.
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