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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is “excited” about Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland following his Champions League heroics.
Haaland, 19, has enjoyed an incredible start to the season and his hat trick in Salzburg’s 6-2 win over Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday made it 17 goals in nine appearances so far.
The youngster became the first teenager to score a hat trick on their Champions League debut since Wayne Rooney‘s for United against Fenerbahce in 2004.
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Solskjaer, who managed Haaland during his second spell as Molde manager, said: “It’s great watching him. Everyone in Norway is excited about his development.”
United have a teenage star-in-the-making of their own, with 17-year-old Mason Greenwood set to start against Astana in the Europa League on Thursday.
“Mason is one of the best finishers I’ve seen, and I’ve played with quite few decent ones. Just work hard. There are so many years ahead of you. The next game is always the most important one. He needs game time,” Solskjaer said.
“I remember a kid who just wanted to play with his mates in under-18s. Now he is knocking on my door. His appetite for football must be growing.
“He is better than me now. I don’t have the accuracy any more. He is one of the best finishers I have seen.”
Solskjaer, who will be missing Daniel James on Thursday after a knock picked up in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leicester, is already without Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw.
“It’s a chance for some other players to get some minutes. We have a game every three or four days now so we’ll see the use of the squad tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s not just about enjoying yourself, it’s about getting results. But if you don’t throw them in, you don’t know what you’ve got.
“In the Europa League you meet different types of teams and cultures. It’s important we win our home games, especially with two of our away games on astroturf.
“I think all the boys watched the Premier League games, the top games, watch other teams win trophies. I think they will want to get there [Champions League], and we want to get there. The Europa League is a pathway to get there.”