LECCE have claimed Manchester United gave them a “now or never ultimatum” when they moved for Patrick Dorgu last month.
The Italian club had vowed to keep hold of their Danish full-back, 20, until the summer at least.
United were told that when they made their approach in January – but would not take no for an answer.
And when the Red Devils threatened to pull the plug permanently on their interest, Lecce felt they had no choice but to sell.
An initial fee of £29.4 million was agreed for the defender who was introduced to the Old Trafford crowd on Sunday.
But Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani did not like how United went about their business.
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He said: “We said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January.
“Then Manchester United arrived, who made themselves heard with us and with the boy’s entourage.
“They received an official response from us that I leave here, in which we said that we had no intention of letting Dorgu leave in January.
“And not talking about figures, not asking for increases.
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“This, instead of stopping United, had the opposite effect.”
Damiani says United turned up the pressure by telling them and the player they would walk away if a deal could not be done in the winter window.
He said: “We asked several times to postpone everything until the summer, also promising the young man that he would not miss the opportunity.
“For us too it was a historic step, we just wanted to do it in July.
“The English communicated to us their desire, the club and its coach, to be immediate.
“There was an ultimatum, now or never, also giving this message to the player himself.
“You cannot judge Dorgu, you are 20 years old and Manchester United comes to you with an offer like that.
“The combination of these factors led us to think that we would have gone from being consistent to being stupidly obstinate.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
