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Erling Haaland's Dad Gives Frustrating Reason for Why Man Utd Failed in January Signing

​The father of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has suggested that his son rejected a move to Manchester United in January because it was only manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who actually wanted him at Old Trafford.

After a red-hot start to the season with Red Bull Salzburg, Haaland was wanted by pretty much every club on the planet. United were tipped to win the race for the wonderkid's signature, with Solskjaer pushing for a deal to sign his fellow Norwegian. However, it was Dortmund  who eventually won the race for his signature, completing a €20m January deal.

Erling Haaland

Since then, there have been plenty of reasons suggested as to why ​United missed out. 

We've had their reluctance to insert a release clause in his contract and their refusal to deal with agent Mino Raiola. However, now Alf-Inge Haaland - Erling's father and former Manchester City player - has told ​TV2 that he felt United just weren't committed enough.

"You have to go to a club where the whole club wants you, not just the coach," Haaland's father said. "I think that is the most important thing, in addition to how the club has been for the last five to ten years and what direction they have taken. 

"It is dangerous to just sign for a coach, because he can suddenly leave the club at any moment.

"You never know how it would go in other clubs. It may well have been good, if we had chosen a different route. We will never answer that. But we are very pleased with the clubs he has been to."

​Dortmund struck a deal to sign Haaland shortly before the winter transfer window opened, so United had to spend the entirety of January frantically searching for a new striker.

The Red Devils eventually settled on a loan deal for Odion Ighalo, and they have been tipped to ​make that permanent after an impressive first few months at Old Trafford, but the Nigerian hasn't come close to matching Haaland's output since January.

The teenager managed 12 goals in just 11 outings for Dortmund before football was suspended, ​attracting interest from Real Madrid as a result. He just can't stay out the headlines.

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Source : 90min