{"id":293285,"date":"2023-10-29T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293285"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:00:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:00:36","slug":"the-two-strikers-man-utd-signed-instead-of-erling-haaland-and-where-they-are-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/the-two-strikers-man-utd-signed-instead-of-erling-haaland-and-where-they-are-now\/","title":{"rendered":"The two strikers Man Utd signed instead of Erling Haaland and where they are now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Man City boss Guardiola hails FWA Footballer of the Year Haaland<\/h3>\n

Ex-Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew exactly the calibre of talent he had on his hands during a previous spell in charge of Molde. He claims to have urged the Red Devils to swoop for Erling Haaland while still in Norway and again when he was United manager. They couldn’t get a deal done and instead went for a veteran duo, whose careers are now on a different trajectory to that of the Norwegian.<\/p>\n

A phenomenon in front of goal, Haaland has already hit the net almost 250 times as a professional, despite being only 23 years old. The 6ft 4in marksman made his senior debut at just 15, and a year later he was snapped up by Solskjaer’s Molde.<\/p>\n

“I got in contact with United because we had this talented striker who they should have had,” he said. “But they didn’t listen, unfortunately.” That was in 2018 and United tried again to sign him in January 2020 but refused to put a release clause in his contract which ultimately allowed Borussia Dortmund to sign him for around \u00a317million.<\/p>\n

Haaland left Dortmund to join Manchester City last summer and a sensational 52-goal haul in all competitions helped United’s rivals to a staggering silverware treble last season. United meanwhile have been left to rue the duo they brought to Old Trafford instead, who are now playing their football in far-flung destinations. So where are they now?<\/p>\n

Haaland\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>sensational 52-goal haul in all competitions\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>rivals to a staggering silverware treble last season. Old Trafford\u00a0<\/span>are now playing their football in far-flung destinations.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong> Tottenham ‘promise’ leaves Liverpool red-faced with Klopp ruing missed chance<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Odion Ighalo<\/h3>\n

A surprise loan signing in January 2020 after Haaland joined Dortmund, Ighalo had already proven that he was able to score goals at Premier League level. The Nigerian did so with Watford in 2015\/16, following up a prolific Championship campaign by notching 15 in the top flight.<\/p>\n

Ighalo had left the Hornets and completed three seasons in the Chinese Super League by the time United came calling. While it wasn’t a fairytale marriage, five goals in 23 appearances is far from disastrous, with the striker already in his thirties at the time.<\/p>\n