Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United have not hidden their desire to snap up the transfer of the young European sensation Erling Haaland who had registered remarkable 62 goals in 63 games for Dortmund since arriving at the club in January 2020 and has already started to add to his unbelievable records this new season with 5 goals in his first 4 games.
Though Haaland has also been tracked by the other top European clubs, with United’s neighbour City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus all reported to have registered their interest in the 21-year-old sensation, but United could hold the cards considering these three reasons namely, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
Firstly, there is no doubt that United boss Solskjaer who once shared training sessions with Haaland is a big fan of his compatriot and will be more than delighted to reunite with him.
Solskjaer, meanwhile has revealed earlier this year that he was ‘still in touch’ with Haaland.
“When you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them and I keep in touch with Erling,” he said.
“It’s great to see him become the player he has become and [how] he works to improve all the time.
“He’s a Dortmund player – we just wish him well there and let’s see what life will bring later on
You know I can’t speak about Erling because he’s at Borussia Dortmund, and it’s disrespectful to talk too much about it, apart from that I know him and I speak to him.
“Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago?
“Everybody would say you would take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.”
The both Norwegians had worked together during their days at Molde where Solskjaer handed Haaland his first professional debut and the recent reports had suggested that they have both maintained their relationship thereafter.
Secondly and interestingly, United were able to complete a remarkable return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford this summer and Haaland who is believed to be a big fan of the 36-year-old Portuguese had not hidden his desire to meet with him
National Daily recalls that Haaland speaking in 2020, admitted he’d love to meet Ronaldo in person – having grown up idolising the 36-year-old.
He told Record: “I would love to meet him and tell him that I am a footballer thanks to him.
“For me, he was always a role model.”
And United could help give Haaland his long desire to finally to meet Ronaldo who he has been unable to meet yet, with their paths failing to cross.
And while many may have viewed Ronaldo as an obstacle to bring Haaland to Old Trafford, reverse could actually be the case, considering the fact that the Portugal international could actually help facilitate the Norwegian’s transfer pendulum swinging United’s way especially when it appears that the respect between the two super stars is mutual.
National Daily similarly recalls that Ronaldo has also revealed his respect for Haaland when he name-dropped the 21-year-old earlier in the year when talking about players who can make the difference in the coming years.
“It is hard to choose just one player to say this one will be the best,” he said.
“But I think it is exciting to see this new generation of young players, like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, who are coming through.
“Some players can have one or two great seasons, the really great players are the ones that keep doing it season after season, and that is not so easy to do.
“It takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of commitment.”
Thirdly, there is no doubt about the formidable understanding that existed between Haaland and Sancho during their days together at Borussia Dortmund.
United were able to finally seal a transfer for Sancho after their long duration of negotiations. And a reunion that will recreate such football understanding may not be a lengthy ask.
Understandably, both Haaland and Sancho will welcome such opportunity as their initial union has helped them played to each other’s strength while leaving them both with glowing statistics.
And basically, considering the fact that United’s hierarchy was able to finally do a deal smoothly with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho this summer, similar transfer situation may not be ruled out.