Manchester United boss Solskjaer ‘keeps in touch’ with Haaland

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still keeps in touch with former charge Erling Haaland and has not ruled out a future move for the Borussia Dortmund star.

The 20-year-old striker has established himself as one of the hottest prospects in world football during goalladen stints with Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund.

SolskjaercoachedHaaland – the son of his former Norway international team-mate AlfInge – at Molde and had hoped to persuade the frontman to link up with him again at Old Trafford last season.

But the striker plumped for a move to Dortmund in December 2019 and his agent Mino Raiola recently said only 10 clubs in the world can afford the 20-year-old, with four of those based in England.

Asked if the striker was somebody he would like to one day see at Old Trafford, Solskjaer laughed and said: “I think when you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them, of course, and I keep in touch with Erling.

“So it’s great to see him become the player he has become and I know he’ll work to improve all the time.

“He’s a Dortmund player.

We just wish him well there and then let’s see what life will bring later on.”

Pushed on Haaland, Solskjaersaid:“One,youknowIcan’t speak about Erling because he’s with Borussia Dortmund and I think it’s disrespectful to talk too much about it apart from that I know him and that I speak to him.

“Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago? Because everyone would say you’d take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.

“But for me and the recruitment, I think we’ve done well. There’s a boy sat next to me here (Daniel James) who proves that as well, Bruno (Fernandes) as you say.

“I think the signings we’ve made since I’ve come to the club have all contributed and added to the squad.

“That’s part of what we have to do. We have to complement what we have in our group with other different types of players and also young players.

“I’m happy with our recruitment model and the processes we go through, yeah.”

Solskjaer was speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League round of 32 return leg against Real Sociedad, which they approach all but assured of progress after last week’s 4-0 win in Turin.

Josh Scowen could return to the Sunderland squad for the trip to Crewe Alexandra this weekend.

Scowen missed the 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town with a slight hamstring issue but Lee Johnson is hopeful that the problem is not serious.

Johnson does not expect any other players to return as he looks to continue building on an encouraging run of form, meaning his defensive options do remain limited.

The Sunderland Head Coach was boosted by the return of Oliver Younger to the squad on Tuesday night, but Tom Flanagan is not expected to be available until some time next week.

"Tom Flanagan is probably a week away," Johnson said.

"Josh Scowen wasn't involved on Tuesday due to a slight niggle, it's just a tightness in the hamstring rather than a tear. He could return for the game against Crewe."

January signing Ross Stewart is nearing his debut as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury, but Johnson has vowed not to rush him with his other striking options in good form.

No side in the EFL has scored more goals in 2021 than Sunderland.

"Ross Stewart was on the grass today," Johnson said.

"He was probably knocked back about two weeks in his rehab but while the team are doing well and we're scoring goals, he can progress at the rate required to come back fully fit and with no problems."

Johnson also had a positive update on two of his longer term injury issues.

Bailey Wright remains a fortnight away from a return but Johnson does believe that he will be in contention for the Papa John's Trophy final against Tranmere Rovers.

While Denver Hume remains some way from returning, Johnson is confident that he will feature at some stage in the promotion push.

"I do expect to see him again this season," Johnson said. "He's in a good place.

"It's very difficult to put a date on an injury like his, because there's so many factors in their recovery.

"He's very positive which is a credit to his mindset because its never easy having a recurrence of an injury like that. He's doing a bit of running and we'll just build him up as best as we can."