Products You May Like
MANCHESTER — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has played down the prospect of Erling Haaland joining Manchester United in January despite reports on Friday the FC Salzburg striker is flying into Manchester for talks and insisted Paul Pogba will not be sold.
Sources have told ESPN that United made an enquiry over Haaland, who has also been linked with moves to RB Leipzig, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund and Solskjaer has travelled to Salzburg to meet with the 19-year-old’s advisors.
– ESPN Premier League fantasy: Sign up now!
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
– When does the transfer window reopen?
– Premier League winter break: All you need to know
However, speaking at a news conference on Friday morning, Solskjaer tried to cool talks of imminent negotiations.
“I don’t think he’s en route here,” Solskjaer said. “I can’t comment on other team’s players. It’s just one of those things. In this job there are so many speculations.
“He’s not coming to Manchester. I know the boy and his friends and he’s on a Christmas holiday. You can’t fly anywhere from Stavanger, you need to go via.”
Solskjaer has overseen an upturn in United’s form ahead of the trip to bottom of the table Watford on Sunday but the Norwegian said his squad is still in need of additions.
“As a manager you always hope that you can do something but then again it’s not something that’s nailed on,” Solskjaer said. “It has to be the right player, the right age, that he’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.”
United will face Watford on Sunday without Pogba while the France international continues his recovery from a foot injury.
Pogba is training again after more than two months on the sidelines and Solskjaer is adamant he will play for United again.
“He’s not getting sold in January,” the United manager said. “He’s training, but he’s not been training with us for long.
“He’s training and that’s a step forward for us. He’s a fantastic player and a charismatic personality and for us we’re happy that he’s here.”