According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland in 2021.
It is an open secret that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to bring in Erling Haaland at Old Trafford. Solskjaer helped Haaland, 20, develop while in charge of Norwegian club Molde and wanted to sign him for Manchester United last January. However, the Red Devils pulled out of the deal after they refused to agree to a buyout clause and some demands of his agent Mino Raiola.
That saw Borussia Dortmund come in for Haaland, and he moved to Germany in January 2020 without any problems. The 20-year-old’s stock has skyrocketed since arriving at Dortmund having plundered 33 goals in 26 matches across the Bundesliga and Champions League in the past 12 months. He has scored 10 goals and has supplied two assists in nine games in the Bundesliga so far this season.
Manchester United are on a strong run in the Premier League and are level on points with league leaders and defending champions Liverpool. They endured a slow start to 2020/21, losing 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace in their season opener and were also dumped out of the Champions League by RB Leipzig.
The unceremonious elimination from the group stages of the Champions League in December didn’t really dampen the mood at Old Trafford. Solskjaer wanted a response from his players and he has got it from them, with the Red Devils currently 10 games unbeaten. They have headed into 2021 with a chance of lifting four trophies as fans are starting to believe a first Premier League title win since 2013 a genuine possibility.
United have a fantastic attacking unit consisting of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes. Edinson Cavani was signed on a short-term deal on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and his impact has been remarkable.
Cavani, one of the best strikers across Europe for the best part of last decade, has added tons of experience and winning mentality to the United dressing room. However, the Uruguayan will turn 34 in February and needs to be managed carefully; so, Solskjaer should certainly sign a young striker this year.
In that regard, Haaland would be perfect for United. The centre-forward is one of the hottest properties in Europe and has enhanced his reputation further this campaign with a series of eye-catching displays for Dortmund. He would bring in a lot of quality to Solskjaer’s attack, whilst adding depth to the squad. The Norwegian international has proven himself in Europe in a very short space of time and can develop his game further under the watchful eyes of Solskjaer, who has promoted so many youngsters at United so far.
It is reported that Haaland has a £70m release clause that could be activated at the end of the season. However, United will again have to negotiate with the outspoken and niggling Mino Raiola, who has caused a stir lately with a string of comments about Paul Pogba’s future, most recently insisting the French midfielder isn’t happy and would leave Old Trafford in 2021.
It remains to be seen whether United sign Haaland in January or at the end of the season but should they successfully manage to do so, the Norwegian at 20 years old would be a long-lasting asset for the Mancunian club.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
