Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how many times Manchester United refused to sign Erling Haaland.
The former Red Devils boss returned to his native Norway back in 2015 to manage Molde. There, he came across a prodigious young talent by the name of Haaland, who he instantly recognised as a future world class striker.
Still keeping United’s best interests at heart, Solskjaer attempted to get the Norwegian teenager a big move to Old Trafford, which was turned down by the club. Unfortunately for United, Haaland went on to thrive at RB Salzburg in Austria, gain worldwide attention at Borussia Dortmund and finally land a transfer to rivals Manchester City in 2022.
READ MORE: 'Man Utd tried to sign me – I never got dream move and still have copy of failed fax'
READ MORE: Erling Haaland made clear where blame lied for Man Utd move not happening
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Now 23, Haaland is widely considered the best striker in the world, proving to be United’s bane by leading City to their own Treble last season while obliterating goal-scoring records. And following his recent Manchester Derby goal in the 3-1 win at the Etihad, Solskjaer has revealed he thrice tried to get Haaland on the books at United.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Solskjaer told fellow Red Devils legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane: “I had him [Haaland] in Molde, for two seasons. The summer before I got here [joined Manchester United], I rang the club and said ‘You’ve got to sign this boy – he’ll be top class’. That was June/July 2018, and they said no – they had enough reports on players.
Do you think Haaland would be the same player today if he had signed for Man Utd? Let us know in the comments section below.
“Then I became the caretaker manager [of United], and we [Molde] had sold Haaland to RB Salzburg. I tell the club straight away to buy him while he has a release clause.
"We knew that then, and no one else would’ve paid the money - €20 million, it would’ve been a bargain. Even though with his links with Alfie [Haaland], and Manchester City and Leeds.
“It was the club’s decision to not go for it then. We never made bids or went in for him, until after he started scoring for Salzburg. By then, Borussia Dortmund were there, Juventus were there, everyone was there. His release clause then was still good - €60 million.
“He’s got more than just being a great lad. He’s such a team player, and one-on-one with a keeper, he doesn’t think about his own stats. He passes if someone else is through and it’ll be a 100% goal. He’s a gem.”
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