Solskjaer ready to splash out on Haaland as he confirms Man Utd transfer backing

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he has the backing of Manchester United's owners to bring stellar targets like Erling Haaland to Old Trafford.

United failed in a bid to sign Haaland a year ago when the brilliant Norwegian striker decided to join Borussia Dortmund from RB Salzburg over doubts that Solskjaer's future in Manchester was less than secure.

When the Reds then refused to pay £120million for Haaland's Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho in the summer, the Florida-based Glazer family were hammered for running the club on the cheap.

But Solskjaer is buoyant about his chances of landing a contract extension.

And he also feels that after a top-four finish last season, United will be in pole position to land the kind of world-class talent the fans crave if he can once again qualify for the Champions League.

Solskjaer said: “We've got a plan to become a very successful Man United team – and a team that top players want to play for.

“It's down to us to keep improving and getting closer to the trophies.

“I can't say anything about individuals. But we've got the backing.

“The owners keep backing the club and myself and hopefully we can improve the team.

“We are getting better, but we need to do better than last year when we got to three semi-finals.

“The next stage is to get into finals and establish ourselves again as challengers in the league.”

Solskjaer has brought stability to a job that saw United sack David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho within five years of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

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He will have just one year left on his contract in the summer – but the 47-year-old has no doubts that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will give him the time and resources to finish the job.

Solskjaer said: “I talk to Ed all the time and I know we will keep on discussing the progress of the team.

“I've still got time left on my contract and my job is to keep doing my best for the club.”

Dortmund will cash in on either Haaland and Sancho in the summer after taking a financial hit during the pandemic.

With United's interest in Sancho now cooling after paying Atalanta £37million for teenager Amad Diallo last month, they are likely to once again target Haaland.

It would make sense for Dortmund to sell after it was revealed that a clause in the striker's contract limiting any fee at £65million will be triggered in 2022.

United face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday looking to consolidate their position behind leaders Manchester City after thumping Real Sociedad in Turin on Thursday night to take a huge step towards the last 16 of the Europa League.

Edinson Cavani is likely to return to lead Solskjaer's attack.

And the United boss has been so delighted with the Uruguayan since his arrival for free in the summer that only the Manchester weather could prevent the 34-year-old from signing a contract extension.

Solskjaer said: “I will sit down with Edinson at the end of the season, but so far, so good.

“I just hope the weather in Manchester will improve for him!

“I haven't been surprised by Edinson, just impressed.

“I spoke to Ander Herrera, Diego Forlan and other players who knew Edinson and every single one of them sang his praises for his attitude and his personality.

“When you're a footballer, there is a spell early on in your career when you're young and you're eager.

“Then you enter a stage half-way through when you come to think you're invincible.

“But then you get towards the end – and that's when you really make the most of it.

“Edinson isn't going to let his career be cut short through any lack of desire or determination or lack of work."

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