25 May 2023 , 13:08
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Erling Haaland's former agent Mino Raiola once confirmed the reason why the current Manchester City talisman snubbed local rivals United back in 2020 amid suggestions Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was to blame.
During Solskjaer's reign as United boss, rumours were rife that the Red Devils could pip the rest of Europe to the post and land Haaland's signature while he was still a Red Bull Salzburg player. The two Norwegians had previously worked alongside each other when Solskjaer was in charge of Molde.
Therefore, it seemed like United had the upper hand and would be able to lure Haaland to Old Trafford to ply his trade under his former boss. Instead, it was announced that the in-demand striker would join German giants Borussia Dortmund.
At the time, it was suggested that United were the ones to pull out of the deal as they were against the structure of the proposed contract.
However, Raiola, who has since passed away, was quick to explain it was simply down to Haaland preferring what Dortmund had to offer him.
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He told Sky Sports: "People say that Manchester United wanted to be out [of the deal], I don't believe in it, if so it's very strange in my opinion.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erling Haaland worked together at Molde (TT News Agency/PA Images)"I think were was good contact between Norwegian Ole Solskjaer and himself as they know each other very well, it was just a normal decision from the player that at this moment he had a better feeling to sign for Dortmund and that it would be the right move fo his career.
"I don't understand all the fuss, why people are talking so much about Manchester United when there was 12 clubs interested in him and he had serious talks with every one of them."
Before Haaland's switch from Salzburg to Dortmund was confirmed, Solskjaer addressed the speculation as he told the media: "I don't comment on them speculations so that's it.
"He [Haaland] knows what he wants to do and he knows what he's gonna do. So I don't have to give any advice to any other teams' players."
Speculation that Solskjaer was to blame for United missing out on Haaland ramped up again more recently after Gary Neville sat down to interview this season's leading Premier League goal-scorer.
"Ole was your manager. How are you not at Manchester United?"d Neville asked, and Haaland simply replied Sky Sports: "You have to ask him."
Haaland's departure from Dortmund saw him eventually end up in Manchester after all that time, though it is the sky blue of City he dons and the 22-year-old has just inspired United's noisy neighbours to a fifth league title in six seasons.