Football

Erling Haaland reveals why he chose Borussia Dortmund over Manchester United switch


Erling Haaland has been snapped up by Borussia Dortmund (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United lost out in the race for Erling Haaland’s signature to Borussia Dortmund and the young striker has revealed that it was down the plan the German club set out for him.

The 19-year-old became one of the most sought-after talents in world football after his goal-scoring exploits for Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League.

The Norwegian has netted 28 times in just 22 games this season, including eight goals in six Champions League matches, earning himself a move to a bigger club.

That club turned out to be Dortmund, who made the signing for just £18m, although Manchester United were extremely interested in signing him ahead of the Germans.

The Red Devils were thought to have an advantage in the race for the striker as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had worked with him at Molde, but it clearly wasn’t enough to attract him to Old Trafford.

Haaland has now explained that it was the clear vision that Dortmund had for his career that made the difference when he made his decision.

‘The club said directly: “we need you up front. We like your playing style and we want to have you here,”‘ Haaland told BVB.TV, via Bundesliga.com.

‘I liked how they spoke to me then and that’s what triggered me. That’s when I felt that me and Dortmund was a good match.’

With the Bundesliga on a winter break, Haaland is yet to make his debut for the club, and will appear in friendlies before a first competitive fixture on 18 January at Augsburg.

He is already settling in well, though, and is enjoying the atmosphere in his new surrounding, crediting his new next door neighbour Mats Hummels for helping his adjustment.

‘Mats seems like a nice guy, and I also have a Danish guy there with Thomas [Delaney], so I can speak my mother language with him.

‘He’s also a good guy, but I think they all are. It seems like a very relaxed atmosphere in the group and I like it so far.’

The assertion from Haaland tallies with what a source told the Athletic of his reasons for moving to Germany over England: ‘Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flying out to Salzburg to meet with the player was all well and good but Dortmund had kept in close touch over many months and drawn up very concrete plans for his career development.

‘And unlike United, they had a strong track-record of helping young players get to the next level at a club that has been a regular in the Champions League.’

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