Reports in Italy, reproduced by Manchester Evening News, suggest that Manchester United are preparing to launch a bid for 19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg sensation Elring Braut-Haaland.
Haaland has been in absurdly good form this season, netting 20 goals in just 15 appearances, a tally which marks him out as one Europe’s top marksmen. While his domestic form has been nothing short of remarkable, it is his performances on the European stage which have captured the attention of continental big-wigs Manchester United. In the Champions League, Haaland has scored six goals in three games, a feat made all the more impressive given that they are the youngster’s first appearances in the competition. He has become the first teenager to get six goals in a single Champions League campaign and the first-ever player of any age to score six in their opening three games.
It is easy to see why he is in Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s crosshairs. The Red Devil’s decision to sell and not replace Romelu Lukaku has been the subject of widespread derision. In their squad they have arguably no out-and-out striker – Marcus Rashford has been playing a ‘number 9’ role this season when he would arguably be better suited to cutting in from the left-hand side. Haaland would fill this hole.
The move is made all the more likely that United boss Solskjaer has worked with the young Norwegian before in his time at Molde. However, United will have to part with a sizeable chunk of cash if they are to land Haaland, probably upwards of £60-million in the current climate.
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