Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has spoken about his disappointment that his old side failed in their pursuit to bring in Bundesliga sensation Erling Haaland in the January transfer window.
United were tipped to sign the Norwegian wonderkid from Salzburg with compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having previous experience of the 19-year old from both their time at Scandinavian side Molde FK.
However, things were not meant to be with the young forward opting to join popular Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund instead. Rumours around the move suggested there Solskjaer’s United were reluctant to pay Haaland’s release fee and also could not guarantee the youngster the playing time he wanted.
Scholes has now spoken about his disappointment of his former side failing to secure arguably the most exciting attacker in world football.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, as quoted by Metro, when asked if United should have done more to secure Haaland, Scholes said: “Yes. Do you know what, when all the talk was about, I hadn’t seen a lot of him. ‘But then once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought: “Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?
“He looks that good, he’s still young, and he’s an out-and-out goalscorer. He’s quick as well, he’s got real pace. ‘He’s a big lad, he’s a presence, and he scores goals – and that’s priceless.”
Anticipating that United could still sign the striker in the future Scholes admitted that his old employers would have to pay ‘big, big’ money for him, Scholes said: “Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him. But so what? He looks the real deal.”
Haaland has hit the ground running for Dortmund in what is a break-out season for the youngster scoring 44-goals in just 40-appearances in all competitions.
Read more: Real Madrid set to give away long-term Manchester United target
