Former Man City player Trevor Sinclair has used the big news surrounding Erling Haaland as an opportunity to take a pop at Manchester United.
We are not surprised because Sinclair rarely has anything good to say about United – but, at the same time, we think he raises a decent point in the video below.
Firstly, some background information about United’s previous pursuit to sign Haaland when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
Haaland was a reported target for United in 2020, when he was emerging as an incredible prospect for Red Bull Salzburg. However, he made the surprising decision to snub a move to Old Trafford to join Borussia Dortmund instead.
Of course, it worked out well for the Norwegian goalscorer because I don’t think any club would turn their nose up at him now. He has flourished in the Bundesliga and, on top of that, the 21-year-old has recently been announced as Man City’s first summer signing.
Manchester City can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.
The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 10, 2022
But going back to Sinclair’s comments – courtesy of TalkSPORT – he says: “It was arrogance from Man United!”
He may have a point.
😳 “#MUFC would have loved Haaland and they could have 3 seasons ago for £18m!”
🤦♂️ “Who can afford not to have Haaland for 3 years and sell him if he wants to go?”
🔥 “It was arrogance from Man United!”@Trevor8Sinclair slams Man United’s ‘arrogance’ for not signing Haaland ❌ pic.twitter.com/QamHrEKBLD
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 11, 2022
In a recent interview Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said Haaland’s path could have been very different if Dortmund had not agreed to a particular release clause in his contract.
He recently told 19:09Talk, as per The Athletic: “We gave Erling Haaland a release clause… otherwise he would have gone to Manchester United.”
It makes you wonder whether United should have took a worthy gamble on Haaland – accepting that he would have a release clause in his contact, but then you ask yourself why he has not demanded a release clause from City?
There is no denying that this team would’ve benefited from having Haaland over the past two years, especially when you consider how bad things got under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who led his team to a second place finish last year.
Now United are clinging on to sixth place with one game to play.
