It is no wonder that the biggies in Europe are keeping watch on Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland. Before his move to Bundesliga, the Norwegian striker scored 28 goals for the Red Bull Salzburg, and he continued his excellence for BVB, powering the club against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. And Haaland is only 19.
The goalscorer revealed in a YouTube Q&A the great influences in his rising career. He nominated three names who made their marks in football wearing the Manchester United jersey. The Red Devils tried recruiting the attacker in January but failed. The mutual admiration, however, seemed to indicate that Haaland still toys with the idea of playing for the club where his idols used to play.
According to the youngster, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taught him a great deal about football. When Haaland started out with Molde in Norway, Solskjaer was his coach.
"That was something he taught me in the days before ... He has taught me a lot to be calm, and also be on your toes and come to those situation where the ball is coming. It is then you have the chance to score. He deserves a lot of credit for teaching me that," Metro reported Haaland as saying.
The young striker recalled that it was Solskjaer who made him use his power in attacking the goal. If he is regarded now as a lethal goalscorer, a big part was due to the Norwegian who guided him early in his football days, Haaland said.
It appeared too that United legends are personal favorites of the Dortmund star. He revealed being influenced by great footballers when he was a child but singled out two former members of the Red Devils as his big idols.
"A lot of great players from Zlatan to Ronaldo, these kind of guys. I cannot say one so I'll say two: Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic," Haaland revealed.
His admiration of United greats is even more interesting considering that Haaland nearly became a part of the club just a few months back. Solskjaer actively pursued the Norway international before the January winter break, but the youngster ended up signing with Bundesliga.
It is believed though Solskjaer remains optimistic that he can convince the rising star to one day jump to Old Trafford.
However, Dortmund's estimated £300 million release clause on Haaland could serve as a big turn off for interested clubs, which Forbes said include Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus.
These elite clubs view the Norwegian striker as worthy of the price tag but will unlikely make the move considering the financial pressure that the coronavirus pandemic has caused on European football. Suffice it to say that now is not the right for Haaland to move as he is doing great where he is at the moment, the report added.
