Manchester United fans raced to social media after seeing former director John Murtough join Atalanta.
As soon as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover of Manchester United was complete, his team got to work restructuring the hierarchy at Old Trafford.
John Murtough was axed in April 2024 after spending 11 years at the club across various different roles.
The Glazers neglected United’s footballing department, with John Murtough one of several chiefs who were internally promoted by the American family.
Murtough was responsible for hiring Erik ten Hag and the poor recruitment that followed.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty ImagesMan United fans stunned as John Murtough lands Atalanta role
On Tuesday, Serie A side Atalanta appointed Murtough as director of global development.
United have completed two deals with Atalanta recently – the £37m deal for Amad Diallo. But Murtough played a key role when United paid £64m for Rasmus Hojlund in 2023.
United fans on social media now believe that the over-inflated price for Hojlund is linked to Murtough’s new role.
“This was part of the Hojlund scam,” one supporter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This was part of the Hojlund Scam
— 🙂↕️ (@privvfuad) April 15, 2025
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Another wrote: “72m for Hojlund surely helped him with the job…”
72mn for hojlund surely helped him
With the job— RANBEEIR KALSI (@Ranbeeir10) April 15, 2025
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“They were so happy with him taking Hojlund off their hands for 70M that they rewarded him,” a third fan posted.
They were so happy with him taking Hojlund off their hands for 70M that they rewarded him.
— Dark Saint (@DefiledGod) April 15, 2025
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Another fan joked: “How do they trust him after successfully fleecing him?”
How do they trust him after successfully fleecing him?🤣
— Drew🤘🏽🇦🇬 (@TrillUTD) April 15, 2025
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One fan continued: “This has to be some sort of money laundering scam for Hojlund that he had planned before.”
This has to be some sort of money laundering scam for Hojlund that he had planned before 🤦♂️
— 7🇵🇹 (@RonnyRealm) April 15, 2025
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It’s fair to say United fans aren’t very pleased with Murtough’s Hojlund deal with one fan writing: “Gave him the job after he helped them get 75 million Euros from Manchester United for a player that can’t trap a ball.”
Gave him the job after he helped them get 75 million eours from Manchester United for a player that can’t trap a ball 👍🏿
— BigGamePlayer (@f00tballnerd) April 15, 2025
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Man United overpaid for Rasmus Hojlund
Supporters are not wrong – United horribly overpaid for Hojlund in 2023 and it has piled unnecessary pressure on the Dane.
United’s data suggested Hojlund was worth £50m, but the recruitment team – headed by Murtough at the time – ignored the signals and spent well over that amount.
In January it was reported that Hojlund was worth £59m, ranking him as United’s fourth-most valuable player. But his poor form this season will see his value take a big hit.
READ MORE: John Murtough comments on Manchester United signing have currently backfired in every way
His struggles in front of goal have even seen Hojlund linked with an exit with Italian clubs in particular showing an interest in potentially bringing him back to Serie A.
However, it feels extremely unlikely that United would be able to demand a profit from Hojlund if he was sold in the summer.