Sam Allardyce slams Man United’s ‘mind-boggling’ failure to sign Erling Haaland
Sam Allardyce has slammed Man United for their ‘mind-boggling’ failure to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland in 2020.
The Red Devils appeared to be on course to sign the Norwegian in 2020, but Borussia Dortmund rushed in and signed him in the January window.
United had a chance to sign the 21-year-old in 2018, but a time zone mismatch between Norway and England proved to be the club’s undoing, as Red Bull Salzburg completed the deal.
Haaland has since established himself as one of Europe’s most wanted strikers, and a number of top-flight clubs are circling with his £64 million release clause expected to be triggered in the summer.
United is said to be back in the hunt, although Real Madrid and Manchester City will be tough opponents.
Allardyce believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would still have his job at Old Trafford if he signed Haaland.
‘Manchester United, I still think that, had they secured him, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would still be in the job,’ Allardyce admitted to Genting Casino, via The Mirror.
‘And why Manchester United decided to let him go has been mind-boggling for me ever since it happened. And Ole had worked with him.
‘Allegedly, it came down to finance, then that is the biggest mistake that Manchester United – not Ole – made. I think Ole would still be in a job if he actually signed him.’
Haaland has scored 80 goals in 79 appearances for the Bundesliga club since joining in January 2020, thus the Red Devils missed out on a goal-scoring opportunity.
A number of clubs are interested in signing him, including Manchester City and Barcelona, but the Norway international is thought to have his heart set on Real Madrid.
‘Whoever gets him is going to be getting a huge boost to the team,’ Sam Allardyce said.
‘When you get to 30 goals – touch wood, he stays injury-free – you’ve got 30 goals every season for seven or eight years if you keep him.
‘You’re never really going to get into trouble, but the rest of the team have to live up to his expectations as well because he’ll want to win things.’
Despite Haaland’s enthusiasm for Madrid, Allardyce believes United has the upper hand due to the financial status of the two LaLiga sides.
‘I think the best chance Manchester United have is based on the whole financial package simply because Real Madrid and Barcelona haven’t got enough in the coffers at the moment,’ he added.
‘They have never been as skint as they are now.’
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