Jurgen Klopp defends Man Utd after Erling Haaland transfer criticism

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended Manchester United in their well-documented failure to sign Erling Haaland, claiming even he couldn’t sign the Borussia Dortmund star.

Sheer arrogance from the Liverpool manager but he goes on to make a very good point about why Haaland decided to join Dortmund over other clubs.

The talented Norwegian was Europe’s most wanted youngster in the January transfer window and it was a surprise when BVB beat United to his signature.

READ MORE: Pogba could change transfer stance if Man Utd sack Solskjaer

Especially with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s connections with the striker, having coached him at Molde when he first became a professional. That saw United heavily linked with making a transfer.

However, it ended up proving to be not a major factor in his move as BVB won the race for his signature.

Many have criticised the United board for failing to sign Haaland, but in hindsight I think the club should steer well clear of players associated with Mino Raiola.

The Italian agent can’t be trusted to keep his mouth shut and he tried to publicly embarrass Solskjaer on social media not long ago.

Klopp is also of the view that the criticism is unwarranted. He said (via Manchester Evening News): “Everybody blames Man United for not getting him, but we wouldn’t have got him. We couldn’t have got him. It’s as easy as that.

“He wanted a top team, as soon as possible, with an open space… Borussia Dortmund. That’s timing.

“I hope you know how much I love and respect the people at Dortmund, but it’s not that they made a perfect approach and did this and that, it was more they were there, had the space, number nine… here we go, you are 19-years-old, want to play Champions League, top end of Bundesliga, so go for it. Nobody else had a chance, I’m pretty sure, no matter what they say.”

It could be argued that United had the space too, but Haaland wants to play in the Champions League which is something Dortmund can offer…

United signed Odion Ighalo on loan for six-months instead.

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