Why Man United should plot a January swoop for Erling Braut Haaland
According to a report from the Sky Sports, Manchester United were one of the clubs scouting Red Bull Salzburg star Erling Braut Haaland against Genk in the Champions League.
Erling Braut Haaland, 19, became an instant star on Tuesday night after becoming the third-youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, inspiring RB Salzburg to a 6-2 win over Genk on Tuesday.
He has already bagged 17 goals in all competitions this campaign and is quickly becoming the most coveted young goalscorer in the world.
Before officially joining RB Salzburg on a five-year deal in January, Haaland worked with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Norwegian club Molde. And with his form in Europe so far this season, the Red Devils should renew their interest in the Leeds-born star.
After several years of signing ageing players for big money more due to their high profile than fitting into the team, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has led a change of strategy at Manchester United this summer.
The Norwegian has instead focused on signing young, promising and exciting players and making use of the club’s academy to make a thrilling, homegrown side.
In Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, Solskjaer has shown trust in British talents. And interestingly, all three of Solskjaer’s signings have impressed the most for United thus far this season.
The United manager decided to let go off some of the club’s experienced players this summer and has shown faith in young players, knowing the rebuild he has started at Old Trafford will take time.
However, it is important United take a dip in the January transfer window to add more firepower to their ranks following the exits of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have been trusted to deliver goals for United this season but they would certainly do better with more competition in the squad.
With Solskjaer keen to challenge for trophies, the Red Devils need more quality and depth in the squad, especially in the midfield and the attack. And they would do a fantastic job by managing to sign the highly-rated Erling Braut Haaland in the New Year.
Standing at 6ft 4in tall with a babyface, Haaland knows to make the best use of his unusually large frame while leading his team’s attack. He can hold the ball up, link the play with his teammates and run down the channels. Despite possessing a towering frame, the Norwegian is quick on the ground and decent on the ball.
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The Leeds-born teenager is a fantastic finisher, fluid in his movement and a terror in the opposition box, with his towering frame making him a constant threat from set-pieces.
Haaland has got a lot of good ingredients to become an absolutely fantastic striker in the future.
Verdict
Having worked with Solskjaer, the United boss knows the young striker’s strengths and weaknesses.
Haaland would be a top fit at United and with the club showing a change in their transfer policy from this summer, the Norwegian international is a player they should look at to make their attack potent.