Erling Haaland has reacted to calls by a Manchester United fan to switch to Old Trafford while taking a stroll in Manchester. Erling Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund on July 1, 2022, for a total of £85.5m.
Spotted on the streets of Manchester taking a stroll, a Manchester United fan bumped into the Norwegian goal-machine. Poking fun with the 22-year-old, he called, “you joined the wrong side of Manchester; come to Manchester United.”
He gave a quick, sharp reply, “they love me here,” as he strolled on. The fan followed him up and continued to press Haaland with the same question, but the youngster appeared focused and unyielding, giving the same reply, “they love me here.”
Haaland was obviously, amused by the scenario which had gone viral. He continued his stroll and seemed uninterested in entertaining further questions from the prying Man United fan.
One can easily recall the drama and publicity which greeted the transfer of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City. The highly-rated Norwegian ace striker joined Manchester City for £51m after the latter triggered his release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
Reports were linking Haaland to a possible Old Trafford move, but that seems very unlikely with Manchester City in the race and the youngster eager to join the footsteps of his Dad, who also played for Manchester City.
Manchester United still zoomed into the gossip columns in the build-up to Haaland’s attempt to join the Premier League. The development was not strange either because the Red Devils have reportedly had an interest in the striker before the 2022 transfer rumors linking him to Manchester City.
In 2020, Manchester United had attempted to sign Erling Haaland but opted out arrogantly due to an overbloated agent fee and release clause demanded by Erling Haaland’s camp.
It was a travesty, though, for Manchester United, who squandered an opportunity to sign Erling Haaland for just £18m that year. Haaland was still at Salzburg. He later joined Borussia Dortmund, where he made significant headway in his career, becoming one of the game’s top stars with 83 goals in 89 matches at Signal Iduna Park.
Erling Haaland’s strides at Borussia saw his value rose drastically. Manchester paid £51m to sign him, but the deal is valued at £85.5 after the agent’s fee, signing bonuses, and accruals are added.
Joining Manchester City, Haaland expressed his delight to be a part of one of the world’s biggest clubs with an admirable style of play.
“This is a proud day for my family and me”, he said. “I have always admired Manchester City and its style of play. They create a lot of chances, which is perfect for a player like me.”
Haaland also commended the quality of the players in Manchester City and the pedigree of the manager, Pep Guardiola. He maintained that Manchester City is the best place to fulfill his dreams.
“There are so many world-class players in this squad, and Pep is one of the greatest managers of all time, so I believe I am in the right place to fulfill my ambitions”, he added.
Just a few months in Manchester City, Haaland has hit the ground running. In August alone, he had banged 9 goals in five matches for Manchester City. In his Champions League debut for Manchester City against Sevilla, he bagged a brace as the Citizens put four pass the 6 times Europa League Champions.
Erling Haaland leads the list of nominees for the August Premier League Best Player Awards. He is towering high above every other nominee and has been tipped to win the award by pundits.
His reply to the heckling Man United fan on the street of Manchester was not a surprise. Manchester City doesn’t only love Haaland, the team perfectly suits him, and his football career will be flushed with success under the Pep Guardiola-led team.
