Erling Haaland’s admiration for Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after European exit

Man Utd: What could tempt Haaland to Old Trafford?

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Erling Haaland leaving Borussia Dortmund now looks likely after their Champions League exit to Manchester City on Wednesday night. And Manchester United could now pounce, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen on a reunion with his former Molde pupil. The two have often praised each other, fuelling talk he could move to Old Trafford.

Haaland and Dortmund went into Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Manchester City looking to turn the tie around after losing 2-1 at the Etihad.

The Bundesliga giants got their night off to a perfect start via Jude Bellingham, who beat Ederson to put his team in front.

After that, however, City upped the ante.

They equalised through Riyad Mahrez, with the Algeria international converting a penalty following a handball from Emre Can.

And City picked up yet another vital victory courtesy of Phil Foden, who sparked wild celebrations by sending the visitors through.

For Haaland, it was a frustrating night.

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The Dortmund star was nullified by John Stones at the back and barely got a sniff as Pep Guardiola’s side reigned supreme.

He may now have played his final Champions League game for Dortmund, especially with the Bundesliga giants likely to miss out on a spot in the same competition.

They’re currently fifth in the Bundesliga table, eight points behind third-placed Wolfsburg with 10 matches of the season to go.

And, if Dortmund miss out, then Haaland is expected to pack his bags and leave.

The circus surrounding his future has already started, with the player’s agent and father recently holding transfer talks with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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But United are firmly in the mix, too, with Haaland already talking up Solskjaer in the past.

Speaking a year ago, the 20-year-old insisted his countryman ‘deserved a lot of credit’ for the role he played in his career development, with the pair previously working at Molde together.

“Solskjaer and I did some practice on finishing. Not just crosses. I remember he taught me some easy rules,” he said.

“The first one was one-touch [finishes]. That I don’t use too much power and trying to destroy the goal or the goalie with ball.

“I think that I was thinking about doing that and it was something new that he told me. I trained a bit on that, but without scoring, but at least I had it in my head after that training session.

“He has taught me a lot to be calm, and also be on your toes and come to those situations where the ball is coming.

“It is then you have the chance to score. He deserves a lot of credit for teaching me that.”

With Haaland now looking primed to leave Dortmund behind, Solskjaer will be hoping United can bankroll a blockbuster summer deal.

They certainly need him, too, with Edinson Cavani potentially departing Old Trafford for Boca Juniors.

United have also seen Anthony Martial misfire this term, despite the France international bagging 23 goals across all competitions last season.

And Solskjaer, while not one to talk about transfer targets, has broken the mould with Haaland by admitting they still remain in touch.

Speaking in March, the Norwegian said: “It is clear that Erling is going to have a fantastic career.

“I follow Erling. I have always said that. Was it 18 months we had together or something like that?

“Almost two years, perhaps. A fantastic time. He will surely have a super career both for Norway and his club. He is doing incredibly well for Dortmund.

“We will see where he ends up. As a Norwegian and someone who has worked with him, it is of course great that he is doing so well.”

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