United move was ‘not right step’ for Haaland – Raiola
MINO Raiola has claimed that United had ‘the most direct contact’ with his client Erling Haaland of all the clubs to register an interest in the striker.
Haaland sealed an £18m move to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday despite substantial interest from United and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had worked with the 19-year-old in the past at Norwegian club Molde.
United sent scouts to watch Haaland play for former club RB Salzburg and Solskjaer is understood to have conducted a face-to-face meeting with the forward’s representatives.
But Raiola, the agent who also represents United midfielder Paul Pogba, stated in an interview that Haaland believed Dortmund was the best move for his career.
He also dismissed claims that United pulled out of the move because of a proposal that would see Raiola and other intermediaries get a share from a future sale of the player.
“The club that he had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United,” Raiola told the Telegraph.
“They spoke to him the most. Everybody had the chance to talk to him in person. We let that happen especially when he knows Ole. “Clearly he [Haaland] felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career.
“There is nothing against Manchester United or Ole.
“He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs and I’m very happy because he is going to the club he wanted to go to and that is best for him right now.
“If he wanted to go to Manchester United I would have been obliged to take him to Manchester United but he did not.” Raiola then refuted the notion that he and United had disagreed over the negotiation.
“There was no fall-out between me and (United executive vicechairman) Ed Woodward.
“It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path. If they want to blame someone then, fine, blame me but the player is happy.
“He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.”