Erling Haaland: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims striker ‘on Christmas holiday’

Report in Norway claim Haaland spotted flying to Manchester

(Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remained tight-lipped when asked about Manchester United’s interest in Erling Haaland on Friday, despite speculation that the Red Bull Salzburg striker was travelling to Manchester.

Reports in Norway on Friday morning claimed Haaland was spotted boarding a plane to Manchester from Stavanger, yet it was later revealed he touched down in Copenhagen.

Solskjaer is close to Haaland having worked together during their time at Molde and is understood to have travelled to Salzburg last weeks for talks with the 19-year-old and his representatives.

The United manager was asked about Haaland’s movements on Friday morning and insisted that he was travelling for a Christmas holiday rather than talks over his future.

“I don’t think he’s en route here to be fair, not through me anyway,” the United manager said.

“You know I can’t comment on other teams’ players. I’ve said that many times and it’s one of those things in this job you get so much speculation all the time.”

After being pressed on Haaland’s movements, Solskjaer added: “Well, he’s not coming to Manchester... I know the boy and I know his friends and he’s on a Christmas holiday.

When asked whether he was holidaying in Manchester itself, he said: “You can’t fly anywhere from Stavanger, you need to via via!”

Haaland has scored 28 goals in 22 games for Salzburg this season, attracting the attention of Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig as well as United.

Senior United sources claim that the club is focused on the summer window rather than making any January signings, but Solskjaer did not rule out a winter move.

“As a manager you always hope that you can do something but then again it’s not something that’s nailed on,” he said.

“It has to be the right player, right age, who’s going to fit into this squad and for the right value. We’re always looking and the transfer window is open but it might not happen.”