The jump from RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund in January proved an adroit move for Erling Haaland as his star continued to shine with the Bundesliga club. But before the transfer, it was believed that the Norwegian striker was ready to join up with Manchester United and work anew with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Something went wrong along the way.
Why Haaland's anticipated reunion with his coach back in Norway was blamed on the teenager's agent, Mino Raiola. The discussions between the latter and United were reportedly marred by serious disagreements, which eventually derailed the then perceived as Haaland's near-close deal with the English club.
As recalled by Express, the negotiation to bring the teen sensation to Old Trafford turned sour in January when reportedly Raiola demanded that he has to get a share of his client's future sale. United balked at the proposal and walked away from the table.
In the days that followed, Haaland's camp sealed an agreement with Dortmund and with the German club, the young striker proved to United that the team missed out on a great deal.
The forward's debut game with Dortmund saw him scoring a hat-trick and he went on to clear the nets in just 11 games. Haaland even starred in a thrilling Champions League showdown that saw his new team nearly clearing past a powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, headlined by Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
It's clear that Haaland is flourishing and it would have been with the Red Devils but according to his father, Alf-Inge, there were more serious considerations why the youngster is now with Dortmund.
Firstly, the elder Haaland felt that United failed to send the message that the club was dead serious in hiring the forward. Alf-Inge said he was convinced Solskjaer was excited to work with Haaland again but the same cannot be said of the United board.
With Dortmund, Haaland got the feeling that he was wanted by the entire organization and on that aspect, it was a fail for United, said Alf-Inge.
He added that it seemed wiser to pick the German club because of stability. When the talks were being held between Haaland and United, the rumors persist that the struggling United could soon sack Solskjaer, which for the Haalands painted a team that is without a solid sense of continuity.
"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," Alf-Inge was reported by Mirror as saying.
He added that he realized then that signing with United was like signing with Solskjaer, which was devoid of security.
"It's dangerous to just sign for a coach because he can suddenly be sacked," explained Haaland's father.
