Erling Haaland entered the Premier League only around 18 months ago, yet Manchester United fans are already dismayed by his impact. The Manchester City striker, with an extraordinary goal-scoring record, played a crucial role in his team’s historic treble last season, leaving United to witness his lethal abilities firsthand.
As Sunday’s highly anticipated Manchester derby approaches, Haaland, facing United three times, has scored five goals and provided three assists against them. The irony is that Haaland could have been a Red Devil, as former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had previously worked with him at Molde, recognized his prodigious talents. However, a reunion at Old Trafford did not materialize, and Haaland ended up at Borussia Dortmund before joining Manchester City.
Gary Neville, Solskjaer’s former teammate, confronted Haaland about the missed opportunity. On Sky Sports, Neville asked, “Ole was your manager. How are you not at Manchester United?” Haaland’s response was straightforward: “You have to ask him.”
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Solskjaer, revealing his early interest in Haaland, mentioned contacting United six months before taking charge, proposing the striker for a mere £4 million. Despite Solskjaer’s recommendation, the club hierarchy ignored the opportunity, a decision that now haunts them.
In the summer of 2022, Haaland, having moved to Manchester City, received congratulations from Solskjaer, showcasing their continued connection since their time at Molde. Although close to Solskjaer, Haaland cited the allure of working with Pep Guardiola as a crucial factor in choosing Manchester City. Haaland expressed his admiration for Guardiola’s coaching prowess and the prospect of having a great time together.