Rumors persist Manchester United will soon acquire Erling Haaland from Red Bulls Salzburg, and Paul Pogba is heading out soon, possibly joining up with Real Madrid. These scenarios could play out or not but according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, playing coming in and out of Old Trafford has to go through him.
"I will always have the final say ... I am not going to let any players in the door without me saying yes definitely," were the exact words from the Red Devils boss.
Solskjaer was reacting to speculations that the 19-year-old Salzburg striker joining United is a done deal for the club. In the same way, rumors are widespread that the injured Pogba will not play for the club again.
For these talks about moving forward, the green light will need to be signaled by him, the Norwegian manager said.
Solskjaer's claim, according to The Daily Mail, makes sense and that's because United is without a director of football, usually the man who handles such matters. It seemed deliberate on the club's part to leave such questions on the hands of Solskjaer.
It's quite clear, "he has the decisive opinion," the report noted.
And this privilege the United boss is using to play down the rumors of Pogba not wanting to return and play for the club. Solskjaer said that is not the case and insisted the Frenchman wanted to play but has become unavailable because of feeling unwell.
"Paul wants to play football. He has been running with the fitness coach, looking over to us training. And there is nothing more disheartening. It is a proper mental test," the manager explained.
He insisted: "The worst thing for a player is when he's injured and not playing. Everyone has to realize that."
In the case of Haaland, the United boss confirmed the Norwegian sensation is someone that has caught his interest.
"He is a player I like ... We are looking for good players all the time," Metro reported Solskjaer as saying.
"Erling has had a good development, so he has to develop further wherever he decides," he added.
The same report stated that it was Haaland's turn to get on a plane and meet United executives in England, possibly to be briefed on the finer details of his agreement with the Premier League club. It is believed Solskjaer is ready to sign up the youngster this coming January, but United will have to wait a few more months to see him play.
Before letting Haaland go, rumors said United would loan the striker back to Salzburg as a way of honoring the request made by the player and his family.
