Ole Gunnar Solskjær enjoyed two managerial stints at Molde, from 2011 to 2014 and then from 2015 to 2018. During that time, he played a pivotal role in nurturing one of Norway’s brightest young talents, Erling Haaland.
The powerful striker showed early signs of his elite potential under Solskjær, consistently dominating defenders and scoring with ease even as a teenager. Solskjær was convinced of Haaland’s future greatness and took steps to ensure that others, including Manchester United, knew about the budding talent.
Solskjær Urged United to Move Early
According to Dagbladet, Solskjær made a concerted effort to inform Manchester United about Haaland’s abilities while the striker was still developing at Molde. A source revealed:
“United received early tips about Erling Braut Haaland while he was still a major talent in Norway. Solskjær told the club’s scouts about him when he was still coach at Molde.”
Despite the recommendation, United failed to act decisively. Haaland would later move to RB Salzburg, where he enhanced his reputation on the European stage, before joining Borussia Dortmund and ultimately Manchester City.
Haaland’s Rise Highlights United’s Missed Opportunity
Haaland is now regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, having shattered scoring records in the Bundesliga and the Premier League. His physical attributes, goal-scoring instincts, and relentless work ethic have made him a key player at Manchester City, where he is tied to a long-term contract.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continues to search for a consistent presence up front, a problem that could have been solved had they acted on Solskjær’s early advice. However, it’s worth noting that if Haaland had joined United too early in his career, his development path might have looked very different. The nurturing environments at Salzburg and Dortmund played crucial roles in shaping the striker he is today.
Nonetheless, Solskjær’s early recognition of Haaland’s talent serves as another example of the missed opportunities that have plagued United’s recruitment strategy in recent years.
