MANCHESTER (VG) When Erling Braut Haaland went to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, Manchester United allegedly tried to sign him. Now the 21-year-old appears to be ending up with rivals at Manchester City.
It’s a huge sensation for Manchester United, and he’s below the list when it comes to big signings. They would have loved Haaland, but had no chance, Stewart Brennan, a longtime football journalist for the local Manchester Evening News, tells VG.
The Daily Mail, Athletic and The Times have written that Erling Braut Haaland will become a City player this summer, while the BBC writes that an agreement is very close.
Brennan believes that would hurt both Manchester United and their supporters internally. VG A number of media have reported that United and former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted Haaland in the January 2020 window. At that time, Haaland went from Salzburg to Dortmund.
When Haaland is expected to make the move this summer, it doesn’t look like United have been a huge alternative.
City are in a more attractive position, especially when it seems United will not get a place in the Champions League. The balance of power at Manchester has changed dramatically in recent years, says Brennan, as he reflects on the time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from Old Trafford.
Martin Lipton, a reporter for The Sun, believes seeing Haaland will hurt United fans when she sees Haaland in a light blue suit.
– They won’t be happy. But they shouldn’t be surprised. United may be able to compete with City on salaries, but not on anything else. Lipton says why a world-class player should sign for a team not in the Champions League.
Sam Wallace, a respected reporter for The Telegraph with 400,000 followers on Twitter, describes the differences between Manchester City and Manchester United as significant at the moment:
– There are two very different teams. Manchester City is very well organized for modern football and there is great harmony in the club, it is like a happy family. Wallace says they have a clear philosophy and continues:
It couldn’t be more different at Manchester United. They have changed several managers since Ferguson’s departure and they were all of different types and had different principles in their work.
Wallace believes he will put pressure on City’s rivals if they take over Haaland.
Best Young Scorer alongside Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain). The question is what the rest of the league does, and what Liverpool respond with, says Wallace.
VG met Manchester City fan Rob Barber outside the Etihad this weekend. He believes that Alfie Haaland’s father’s past at the club (2000-2003) is crucial for the son to appear to join Pep Guardiola’s powerful squad.
– The father will have a great influence on the elections and that he will come to town. I couldn’t see him in a United shirt, says Barber.
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