Manchester United are set for another scouting trip, with the Red Devils reportedly taking a second look at Molde prodigy Erling Haaland.
Manchester United have ramped up their youth recruitment and scouting to a whole new level in the past couple of years. And while it has already started paying dividends, the Red Devils are showing no signs of stopping. Molde striker Erling Haaland is the latest to be watched by United, according to Daily Mail.
Erling Haaland has football in his blood. The youngster is the son of Alf-Inge Haaland. Alf played 181 times in the Premier League and represented Manchester City, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest during his stay in England.
Erling Haaland was born in Leeds. But, football has taken him back to his home country. Norway. Haaland plies his trade for one of the top clubs in Norway, Molde. The 16-year-old made his senior debut while playing for Bryne before sealing a move to Molde in February, 2017.
The move in itself was a coup for Molde, with the club able to thwart interest from Hoffenheim and FC Copenhagen. Haaland is under the watchful eyes of a Manchester United legend in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The player was famously nicknamed the baby-faced assassin by United fans and was part of the historic treble-winning United side.
Haaland’s improvement has been astounding. He has continuously impressed the scouts with his game. Manchester United had sent Tommy Nielsen to scout the 16-year-old. Haaland did not disappoint, with four goals against league-leaders Brann.
His performance has compelled United to take a second look, with the Red Devils set to watch him again this week. United will not be alone though, with as many as a dozen clubs sending representatives to keep an eye on his performances.
Despite the rigorous youth recruitment that has been going on at Manchester United, Nicky Butt & co. are yet to find a capable natural striker to add to the squad. The Under-18 squad will now be withoutJoshua Bohui, Tahith Chong and Nishan Burkart, who have been promoted to the Reserves squad.
While the need for strikers at the Under-23 level has now been completed, the Under-18 squad only has Mason Greenwood, D’Mani Mellor and Largie Ramazani in attack.
RT: @svendleeds This 17 year old sleeps in his #LUFC shirt when away with the national team. Juve keen and key ManU scout at today’s match.
Erling Braut Haaland 4 goals v Brann pic.twitter.com/YmVEfYSt2N— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) July 2, 2018
Should Manchester United come in for Erling Haaland, the club will be one of the favourites, if not the only, due to their natural connection with the club. But, Haaland is receiving first-team football at Molde. And even if United do sign him, the club is unlikely to want to take first-team action away from the 16-year-old.
This means United could do a deal and let Haaland remain at Molde for a year as he hones his skill in the Norway. Haaland himself has dreams of lifting the Premier League, albeit with his father’s former side Leeds United.
Haaland will turn 17 soon. And there are few gifts that would beat following in the footsteps of his dad and earning a move to Manchester. Only in his time, it’s the red half that wants him.