Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly revealed how many times Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Erling Haaland.
To manage Molde, the former Red Devils manager traveled back to his native Norway in 2015. He discovered Haaland there, a remarkable young talent that he recognized right away as a striker of the future on par with the best in the world.
With United’s best interests in mind, Solskjaer made an attempt to convince the then teenage Norwegian to make a significant move to Old Trafford.
But the club rejected his request. Haaland, regrettably, left United behind and went on to succeed at RB Salzburg in Austria, attract attention globally at Borussia Dortmund. And eventually sign a contract to join Manchester City in 2022.
According to the Daily Star, Solskjaer revealed in a podcast appearance on Stick to Football alongside Roy Keane and Gary Neville, two other Red Devils greats.
What Did Solskjaer Reveal About Man United’s Decision Not To Sign Haaland?
“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.
“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.
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“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.
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