Haaland’s meteoric rise to become one of the world’s most outstanding players since his move to Manchester City last summer has been remarkable.
it’s intriguing to note that he could have potentially joined Manchester United earlier in his career, had circumstances unfolded differently.
The striker first emerged on the scene while playing for Norwegian side Molde, coinciding with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as their manager.
Solskjaer, a United legend, recognized Haaland’s immense talent and personally recommended him to his former club before other suitors intervened.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Solskjaer revealed that he urged United to sign Haaland in the summer of 2018, convinced of the young striker’s potential to become a top-class player.
Despite his endorsement, United declined to pursue the deal, citing an abundance of player reports at the time.
Haaland subsequently made a move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, where he quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most promising talents.
Solskjaer, now at the helm of United, once again advocated for the club to pursue Haaland, especially after Molde had sold him to Salzburg.
Solskjaer highlighted the opportunity to acquire Haaland at a bargain price due to his release clause, emphasizing the player’s immense potential and value to the team.
United hesitated to act on Solskjaer’s recommendation, ultimately missing out on securing Haaland’s services.
By the time United considered making a move for Haaland, he had already garnered interest from several top clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and Juventus. Dortmund ultimately secured his signature in January 2020, where Haaland continued to impress with his prolific goal-scoring record.
Despite missing out on Haaland, Solskjaer recognized the striker’s exceptional qualities, praising his selflessness and team-oriented approach on the pitch. Haaland’s willingness to prioritize team success over personal accolades further cemented his status as a valuable asset to any club.
Ultimately, Haaland’s journey from Molde to Dortmund and eventually to Manchester City exemplifies his remarkable talent and potential, leaving United to rue the missed opportunity to secure his services earlier in his career.
