Erling Haaland recently hogged the headlines as the young striker that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had targeted for recruitment. The plan failed to materialize, but the teenage sensation is still the subject of attention. The 19-year-old striker is drawing admiration at the Champions League wearing the Borussia Dortmund jersey.
Haaland has so far clocked in seven appearances for Dortmund, and already the pitch is being rocked by his brilliance. He now has 11 goals under his name, marking a sensational start at Bundesliga.
In the Champions League, the goal count for Haaland now totals to 10, which Metro said is "a record for a debutant in the competition."
And the same report highlighted this fact: "He has also reached 10 goals in Europe's premier competition four games faster than anyone in its history."
As far as Borussia is concerned, the Norwegian is now a certified superstar after registering a string of firsts for the German club. Yet most importantly, Haaland proved instrumental in the team's win against Paris Saint-Germain in their UCL tie.
Deservingly, Haaland was picked as the best player in the game, but he is making sure that his focus will remain on winning more games.
"I am glad about the man of the match award, but feel like I still can do a lot better. I have to play better at this level, have to work hard to improve," the teenager was reported as saying.
To be sure, Solskjaer is following the exploits of the man he had hoped would join the Red Devils. Realizing that Haaland is on to doing great things, the United boss insisted he is happy and this despite the disappointments that resulted in the failed recruitment of the youngster.
"He's a top boy, an absolutely fantastic kid, who you want the best for. And for Norway it's brilliant that we have a striker who can score goals again," The Daily Mail reported Solskjaer as saying.
"I normally never comment on opposition players, but since I've had Erling, I'm just delighted for him," the manager added.
And Solskjaer is not alone in heaping praises to the Dortmund star. Former Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas seemed just surprised that at a young age, Haaland has this incredible football intelligence as he has a firm grasp on how to operate at the pitch.
"He scores every type of goal... he's just got that knack. You can't coach that. He knows where the ball is going to be," Jenas observed.
For Owen Hargreaves, formerly of the Red Devils, Haaland is simply incredible. Hargreaves declared: "He might be 19 but he's a lethal finisher."
