‘He Looks The Real Deal,’ Paul Scholes Criticizes Manchester United’s Decision To Not Sign $22m Striker

Paul Scholes has criticized Manchester United for not signing 19-year-old talented striker Erling Haaland during the January transfer window.

Scholes, who played for just Man Utd during his 20-year club career, has suggested manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have paid “whatever anybody wanted” for “real deal” Haaland.

It was understood that Solskjaer, who used to coach Haaland at Norwegian club Molde, failed to convince the teenager to move to Old Trafford from RB Salzburg after their negotiations with the player’s agent Mino Raiola broke down. Haaland, who eventually landed in Germany, has claimed he chose Borussia Dortmund over Man Utd because he had a “better feeling” with the German side.

When Man Utd signed Bruno Fernandes in January, Haaland joined Dortmund on a $22 million deal by which he reportedly earns $160,000 per week. Since his debut January, Haaland has netted 16 goals in 18 appearances for Dortmund.

Meanwhile, Man Utd are also being boosted with impressive performances from the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Fernandes as they are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run. Considering their performances of the last few weeks, Scholes has insisted Haaland’s addition would have further improved Solskjaer’s team.

“Once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought, ‘Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?’ He looks that good, he's still young, and he's an out-and-out goalscorer. He's quick as well, he's got real pace. He's a big lad, he's a presence, and he scores goals – and that's priceless,” said Scholes, who also added if Man Utd ever got a chance again to sign Haaland, the player won’t come for cheap.

“Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him. But so what? He looks the real deal,” added Scholes in an interview with BBC 5 Live as per Goal.

Combining Salzburg and Dortmund, Haaland has amassed 44 goals across two leagues, including 28 from only 22 matches for the Austrian side.