It’s no secret now. Manchester United are interested in Red Bull Salzburg star Erling Haaland.
We know that because of the non-stop reporting that offers insight to the saga. Haaland is rightly seen as the best upcoming striker in world football.
The Norwegian striker has impressed this season and a number of clubs have been linked to the 19-year-old goalscorer.
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United are among the favourites (via Irish Mirror). It may act as a pull factor in negotiations that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously managed the striker at Molde.
Then there’s the Bundesliga duo RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund — both said to be keen on sealing a deal for Haaland (via Der Westen).
But ESPN analyst Gabrielle Marcotti doesn’t believe Haaland should move to Old Trafford. He thinks the Salzburg starlet should instead join a club of smaller stature, but still a step up from his current employer.
“I think from his perspective a stepping stone makes sense,” Marcotti told the Transfer Talk podcast (quotes from the Express).
“Or if he goes to a big club, a club that’s already settled and successful where he can be eased into. I’m thinking a Phil Foden situation, that is a good situation to develop in.
“Unfortunately United right now are not a big club on top of their game challenging for the title or the Champions League where he can come in and ease his way into the side. An intermediate step makes a lot of sense.
“You’re [currently] playing for a club that dominates the Austrian league, you’re playing for a manager that presses all over the pitch, they play a million miles per hour, have got the ball all the time.
“At United it’s not going to be like that, it’s going to be completely different. So a transition makes sense.
“But if it’s the right price and the right terms, of course you sign him if you’re Manchester United.
“But if it will be super expensive, a long complicated thing and you have to pay Mino Raiola a big commission, then you think twice about it.”
Marcotti feels strongly about Haaland avoiding United, but we can’t help but think the youngster would be in the perfect place with the right recruitment and Solskjaer’s plans for the team.
United know they must improve but patience is needed when the manager plans to persist with young players. It will be worth it only if he succeeds in charge.
