Erling Braut Haaland was the standout performer for Red Bull Salzburg in the first half of this season as the striker managed 28 goals and seven assists in 22 appearances for the Austrian side.
The 19-year-old’s stellar display caught attention of top European clubs, including Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer visited the Norway international and his family to hold transfer talks. Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund also confirmed the Red Devils were “very interested” in the player.
In the end, United were unsuccessful in their efforts to sign Haaland as the teenager ended up joining Borussia Dortmund in the winter market. He’s enjoyed a good start to his life in Germany as the frontman has 12 goals and two assists to his name.
TV2 in Norway interviewed the youngster’s father, Alf-Inge Håland, where he spoke on various topics, including the youngster’s journey and how a decision was taken to join Dortmund over other suitors like ‘Solskjaer’s Manchester United’.
“You never know how it would go in other clubs. It may well have been good, too, if we had chosen a different route. We’ll never get an answer to that. But we are very happy with the clubs he has been in,” he said.
“You have to go to a club where the whole club wants you, not just the coach. I think that’s the most important thing, in addition to how the club has been over the last five or ten years and what direction they’ve taken.”
“Because it’s dangerous to just sign for a coach, because he can suddenly be sacked.”
Alf-Inge Håland’s comments suggest not everyone at United was keen on bringing his son to Old Trafford.
