Mino Raiola has refuted claims that Manchester United withdrew from the race to sign Erling Haaland because of the excessive demands made by the agent and said that, instead, the club should question why one of Europe’s hottest young talents decided not to join them.

Raiola revealed that Haaland had more contact with United than any other club, including meetings with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and that it was the 19-year-old’s own choice to move to Borussia Dortmund because he felt it was a better club to further his career “at this time”.

Raiola also told Telegraph Sport that contrary to suggestions he and Haaland’s father Alf Inge Haaland who also represents him did not try to insist on a buy-out clause in the Norwegian striker’s contract to have a share in his future sales value.

“I do not know if Manchester United are briefing this but if they are then they are covering their own loss and that I find strange and disappointing,” Raiola said over the claims that demanding a buy-out clause had led to the transfer to Old Trafford not happening.

“There was no fall-out between me and (United executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward. It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path. If they want to blame someone then, fine, blame me but the player is happy. He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.”