Erling Haaland

[red thru&thru]

I think he is Mbappe level and offers something totally different. For 70M in 2022 we would have competition from every top club in the world + enormous sign on fees/wages would come in play. I would much rather cut off the competition now if there is a chance of landing a deal.

50m difference that is. Even if we compete in 2022, it will still be less than over spending 50m.

Also, Ole has brought in a culture of wanting to play for United. If we're in competition with other clubs and doesn't choose us, so be it. We did the same first time by not bending over to him and Raiola, and we'll do it again if the deal isn't correct.

 

[svn]

I don't want the club dealing with that shitbag ever again, even if it means missing out on him. It kills me to say it, because I think he's going to be this generation's outstanding player.

 

[croadyman]

Looking at this thread it does feel that the fanbase is split on whether we should put up with the Raiola sideshow in order to land one of the best strikers in world football right now

 

[Cardozo]

Would prefer we stayed well clear of Raiola. I'm sure he's a great agent but would rather avoid anyone who can be such a destabilising force. We're Man Utd, we have enough pressure applied as it is.

 

[Sayros]

He’s probably better than Mbappe now.

Which is incredible really. You place both Haaland and Mbappe in the PL and the former will score more.

Haaland is no way better than Mbappé, who will be the best player in the world soon and brings more to the game than Haaland, but the big Norwegian is far cheaper and therefore the much better option. Mbappé is going to cost a fortune and has RM written all over him, at least Haaland is a wild card and it doesn’t seem out of the question that United could be an option for him. Who cares if it’s just for a few years before Mino does his dance and gets him somewhere else? You still get years of world class CF service and a profit at the end of it. It’s a no-brainer that if he does show interest everything should be done to get him.

 

[Reynoldo]

Na, take him and at any cost including his prick agent. I wonder would people still be saying don’t deal with his agent if we were to drop off again and finish 7th or something?
Bottom line is I’d take anyone now that is going to help us get back to the top and stay there. We have gone too long already and need to win the league as soon as we can and once we get there and are the dominant force in the PL then we can start worrying about things like agents. And as others have said if we do become the top dogs then would he want to leave anyway?

 

[troylocker]

50m difference that is. Even if we compete in 2022, it will still be less than over spending 50m.

Also, Ole has brought in a culture of wanting to play for United. If we're in competition with other clubs and doesn't choose us, so be it. We did the same first time by not bending over to him and Raiola, and we'll do it again if the deal isn't correct.

I like our chances a lot better if we pay market value and cut off the competition. If he signs the deal it's because he wants to come here. I think there are multiple clubs capable of presenting an interesting mix of challenge/ambition/wages for him in a multiway competition for his signature. I guess we just disagree on the value the impact a signing like this would have on our club. I believe there's a great chance it would bring us directly back on the throne, and that makes it a nobrainer for me.

Raiola doesn't worry me. If he's happy and we go for PL and CL trophies every year he won't move. The fact that we've been far from that the last 7,5 years is why Pogba has flirted around.

 

[Escobar]

We need a striker like him badly. Having said that, it will be so tough to get him as most top clubs will fight over his signature

 

[croadyman]

Haaland is no way better than Mbappé, who will be the best player in the world soon and brings more to the game than Haaland, but the big Norwegian is far cheaper and therefore the much better option. Mbappé is going to cost a fortune and has RM written all over him, at least Haaland is a wild card and it doesn’t seem out of the question that United could be an option for him. Who cares if it’s just for a few years before Mino does his dance and gets him somewhere else? You still get years of world class CF service and a profit at the end of it. It’s a no-brainer that if he does show interest everything should be done to get him.

Yeah I would still take him even if it is only for maybe 3-4 years

 

[RUCK4444]

Haaland is no way better than Mbappé, who will be the best player in the world soon and brings more to the game than Haaland, but the big Norwegian is far cheaper and therefore the much better option. Mbappé is going to cost a fortune and has RM written all over him, at least Haaland is a wild card and it doesn’t seem out of the question that United could be an option for him. Who cares if it’s just for a few years before Mino does his dance and gets him somewhere else? You still get years of world class CF service and a profit at the end of it. It’s a no-brainer that if he does show interest everything should be done to get him.

I don't think there is very much in it between them to be honest. He's a super talent Mbappe but he won't outscore Haaland and ultimately that's what you want your forwards to do.

If I had to choose between each of them right now it would be the Norwegian, to suit our current requirements within the squad. We need a top level, elite, centre forward, no better choice than Erling.

We will have to see how their careers progress but I don't think Mbappe will reach Messi/Ronaldo level if that's what your expecting.

 

[georgipep]

This is just bull! This is your 40-60 goals a season striker and he will stay if he is happy and we challenge for the CL and PL on a regular bases.

We would even sign Pogba on a new contract if that's an option. Raiola is a c*nt but business is business.

 

[Bilbo]

Wouldn't surprise me if previous discussions were along the lines of 'I'll join Dortmund now and come to United next'. The Cavani deal will be done by that summer and if we keep progressing as we are we will be in contention for major trophies.

 

[croadyman]

Wouldn't surprise me if previous discussions were along the lines of 'I'll join Dortmund now and come to United next'. The Cavani deal will be done by that summer and if we keep progressing as we are we will be in contention for major trophies.

Presume you are talking about us signing him in summer 2022

 

[Bilbo]

Presume you are talking about us signing him in summer 2022

Yes. He wont be going anywhere before then

 

[lysglimt]

Yes. He wont be going anywhere before then

Oh he might - no way Dortmund will turn down £120 million next summer. If someone has that money to spend

 

[red thru&thru]

I like our chances a lot better if we pay market value and cut off the competition. If he signs the deal it's because he wants to come here. I think there are multiple clubs capable of presenting an interesting mix of challenge/ambition/wages for him in a multiway competition for his signature. I guess we just disagree on the value the impact a signing like this would have on our club. I believe there's a great chance it would bring us directly back on the throne, and that makes it a nobrainer for me.

Raiola doesn't worry me. If he's happy and we go for PL and CL trophies every year he won't move. The fact that we've been far from that the last 7,5 years is why Pogba has flirted around.

I want him as a player, 100%. But guess I always have my constant business hat on. In currently climate where every penny counts, you can't afford to overpay...even if it is for a talent such as Haaland.

Pogba was a sure thing when he came to us...never worked out like that.

 

[troylocker]

I want him as a player, 100%. But guess I always have my constant business hat on. In currently climate where every penny counts, you can't afford to overpay...even if it is for a talent such as Haaland.

Pogba was a sure thing when he came to us...never worked out like that.

And how much would a PL-title be worth? Leave your business hat on

 

[crossy1686]

We should avoid him really if his agent is Raiola by the time he's leaving Dortmund. We'd only get two years out of him and then he'd be Madrid bound anyway. There's no point.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I don't think there is very much in it between them to be honest. He's a super talent Mbappe but he won't outscore Haaland and ultimately that's what you want your forwards to do.

If I had to choose between each of them right now it would be the Norwegian, to suit our current requirements within the squad. We need a top level, elite, centre forward, no better choice than Erling.

We will have to see how their careers progress but I don't think Mbappe will reach Messi/Ronaldo level if that's what your expecting.

Not entirely. As we've seen with the likes of Messi and Ronaldhinio, there are many ways in which an attacker can influence a game. Mbappe doesn't have the technical genius to impact it in other areas like those two but he has miles more than Halaand as well as the goalscoring prowess of a top forward. I'd take Mbappe if I was choosing. He is technically sounder. He's just "old news" now and has to live up to unrealistic standards imposed on him.

 

[Judas]

We should avoid him really if his agent is Raiola by the time he's leaving Dortmund. We'd only get two years out of him and then he'd be Madrid bound anyway. There's no point.

For me personally, it depends what we won in those two years. If we got a league and/or a CL, and then some money for selling him? I wouldn't say not to that at all.

 

[Sayros]

I don't think there is very much in it between them to be honest. He's a super talent Mbappe but he won't outscore Haaland and ultimately that's what you want your forwards to do.

If I had to choose between each of them right now it would be the Norwegian, to suit our current requirements within the squad. We need a top level, elite, centre forward, no better choice than Erling.

We will have to see how their careers progress but I don't think Mbappe will reach Messi/Ronaldo level if that's what your expecting.

I think Mbappe can outscore anybody once he plays CF, he was second by like 3 goals in the European golden boot his last full season without taking penalties and playing less game than the winner, Messi. He's already well on his way to matching the seasons of CR7 and Messi so I'm not expecting anything outlandish here. I think he has more ranges of finishing, and he's just as productive as he is now between his goals and assists, despite dealing with some injuries this season.

I do agree though that for United, I think Haaland would be a better fit beyond the simple financial reasons, because it's what's most needed for the squad as presently constructed, as Mbappe would take more away from guys like Rashford/Martial where as those two would work better with a player like Haaland. It's a no-brainer, if he's available United should suck it up and get him despite his agent. It's foolish to let these sorts of talent go anywhere else in England due to pride.

 

[united for life]

Haaland is no way better than Mbappé, who will be the best player in the world soon and brings more to the game than Haaland, but the big Norwegian is far cheaper and therefore the much better option. Mbappé is going to cost a fortune and has RM written all over him, at least Haaland is a wild card and it doesn’t seem out of the question that United could be an option for him. Who cares if it’s just for a few years before Mino does his dance and gets him somewhere else? You still get years of world class CF service and a profit at the end of it. It’s a no-brainer that if he does show interest everything should be done to get him.

mbappe gives more options. He can play up front and on the right. But they are 2 different kind of players and it is down to what we actually need. What is our priority, a RW or a ST? If a RW, then surely Mbappe. If ST, although Mbappe can play there, Haaland will be a better option. He’s natural striker.

 

[Stacks]

Not entirely. As we've seen with the likes of Messi and Ronaldhinio, there are many ways in which an attacker can influence a game. Mbappe doesn't have the technical genius to impact it in other areas like those two but he has miles more than Halaand as well as the goalscoring prowess of a top forward. I'd take Mbappe if I was choosing. He is technically sounder. He's just "old news" now and has to live up to unrealistic standards imposed on him.

In what ways?

 

[Sayros]

In what ways?

I mean, you really can just watch a YouTube video of both to get the answer to that. It's pretty obvious. He's a better dribbler, passer, runner with the ball, vision, agility, and changes of directions to name a few.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

In what ways?

Better close control. Better dribbler. More inventive. More trickery. Better passer.

I don't think Mbappe is Messi or even Neymar level but his quality on the ball is superior to Halaand. Sancho is closer in that regard.

 

[Sayros]

mbappe gives more options. He can play up front and on the right. But they are 2 different kind of players and it is down to what we actually need. What is our priority, a RW or a ST? If a RW, then surely Mbappe. If ST, although Mbappe can play there, Haaland will be a better option. He’s natural striker.

Well Mbappe is fiction anyways, but he wouldn't come in to play on the RW, I think his next move he's looking to be up front and the leading goalscorer. I'd rather plunder Dortmund and get Sancho to complement Haaland as they already have a good understanding and Sancho would fit perfectly on the RW. But then again, that's also science fiction because who has that kind of money. Sancho's stock has gone down a bit, but he's still going to be worth a fortune himself and I think he's pretty much as good as it gets for young players.

 

[united for life]

Well Mbappe is fiction anyways, but he wouldn't come in to play on the RW, I think his next move he's looking to be up front and the leading goalscorer. I'd rather plunder Dortmund and get Sancho to complement Haaland as they already have a good understanding and Sancho would fit perfectly on the RW. But then again, that's also science fiction because who has that kind of money. Sancho's stock has gone down a bit, but he's still going to be worth a fortune himself and I think he's pretty much as good as it gets for young players.

at some point i thought you’re suggesting we sign both Haaland and Sancho

Agree with you, signing both would be unrealistic. I’d go for Haaland. Who needs a new RW anyways, we have Amad Diallo

 

[Stacks]

I mean, you really can just watch a YouTube video of both to get the answer to that. It's pretty obvious. He's a better dribbler, passer, runner with the ball, vision, agility, and changes of directions to name a few.

3 of those are the same thing and 2 are nout to do with technique. What about finishing (both feet), long range shooting, free kicks, chest control, heading, overhead kicks, first touch, penalties, corners, crossing, long passes etc

Better close control. Better dribbler. More inventive. More trickery. Better passer.

I don't think Mbappe is Messi or even Neymar level but his quality on the ball is superior to Halaand. Sancho is closer in that regard.

3 of those are pretty much the same thing. invention is not technical. its mental.

What about finishing (both feet), long range shooting, free kicks, chest control, heading, overhead kicks, first touch, penalties, corners, crossing, long passes etc

 

[georgipep]

And how much would a PL-title be worth? Leave your business hat on

That's not guaranteed and business doesn't work like that. I'd also like us to buy him whatever the price but am realistic and do not expect us to overpay, especially anything around £120m.

 

[Matriac]

Most in here are way too worried about an agent. He's more talk than action.

Now would I prefer that he didn't represent any of our current players and future targets? Sure. But am I worried enough that I wouldn't want some of the best players in the world at the club just cause he runs his mouth now and again?

Ole has zero trouble dealing with him, most of the time he just ignores him. And in those situations where Ole snaps back a bit, Mino usually has to backtrack shortly after.

People put way too much weight on whatevers said in the media.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

3 of those are pretty much the same thing. invention is not technical. its mental.

What about finishing (both feet), long range shooting, free kicks, chest control, heading, overhead kicks, first touch, penalties, corners, crossing, long passes etc

They're the same things just like overhead kicks, heading, long range shooting and finishing are same things. Halaand is a brilliant long passer and crosser then?

They're both young players who we will find out more about as they develop. Don't think anyone here is an obsessive fan of either. But Mbappe looks technically more impressive to me.

 

[hungrywing]

Most in here are way too worried about an agent. He's more talk than action.

Now would I prefer that he didn't represent any of our current players and future targets? Sure. But am I worried enough that I wouldn't want some of the best players in the world at the club just cause he runs his mouth now and again?

Ole has zero trouble dealing with him, most of the time he just ignores him. And in those situations where Ole snaps back a bit, Mino usually has to backtrack shortly after.

People put way too much weight on whatevers said in the media.

Yep. Again, we're in a bit of a unique position in that it's within the realm of possibility for Ole to tell Erling "If you want to come here, you have to get rid of him. No backtalk. This is not about him; it's about the type of person who plays at this club. We do not play for money here. This is a place where you come to play for the poor. You have to feel that in your bones. You wake up every morning and it jolts you out of bed because that feeling drives you so much."

 

[Stacks]

They're the same things just like overhead kicks, heading, long range shooting and finishing are same things. Halaand is a brilliant long passer and crosser then?

They're both young players who we will find out more about as they develop. Don't think anyone here is an obsessive fan of either. But Mbappe looks technically more impressive to me.

Different skillsets required, body parts, uses (some are even used defensively). A lot of Mbappe you mentioned is to do with beating a man which isn't that varied. e.g. but having all those types of strikes give you more strings to your bow/weapons.

I get why Mbappe looks more technical because we value a lot dribbling skill and flair as they are usually associated with small technical players where as big lumbering players are sometimes great at finishing but it's a bit unfair as these skills require daily practice with a ball also

 

[troylocker]

That's not guaranteed and business doesn't work like that. I'd also like us to buy him whatever the price but am realistic and do not expect us to overpay, especially anything around £120m.

There is obviously no guarantees, but it will improve our odds significantly in my opinion. My point is that reclaiming the throne in English football would have an enormous impact on our income, the same would having the greatest and brightest stars in football playing the game for you. Forget about the 75M EUR clause kicking in in summer 2022, he is worth the 120M now. I believe he is that good.

- He has scored 61 clubgoals and assisted 13 since the start of last season in 3953 minutes in all comps. That is a goal every 65 minutes and a contribution every 53 minutes on average. Insane!
- He has scored 16 goals and assisted 1 in his first 900 minutes of CL football. That is a goal every 56 minutes on average in the CL. Mindblowing!
- He has scored 6 goals in 360 minutes in the Nations League for Norway. A goal every 60 minutes.....
- He has the world record for most goals in a World Cup match (U20) with 9 goals in one game, and he was pissed he didn’t score 12. Fastest player to 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 and 16 goals in the CL and still running, fastest player to 10 goals in the Bundesliga, records, records and records. He has the mentality to succeed anywhere he goes.
He is a beast and a winner!

For me this would be a very low risk gamble, an absolute nobrainer and far from overpaying.

 

[Bebestation]

Different skillsets required, body parts, uses (some are even used defensively). A lot of Mbappe you mentioned is to do with beating a man which isn't that varied. e.g. but having all those types of strikes give you more strings to your bow/weapons.

I get why Mbappe looks more technical because we value a lot dribbling skill and flair as they are usually associated with small technical players where as big lumbering players are sometimes great at finishing but it's a bit unfair as these skills require daily practice with a ball also

This the same thing people say about GOAT vs GOAT talk, One just dribbles better because of his height and the other strikes a ball better because he practices more.

 

[red thru&thru]

And how much would a PL-title be worth? Leave your business hat on

Would it be worth it afterall bonuses etc have been paid??

 

[Stacks]

Most in here are way too worried about an agent. He's more talk than action.

Now would I prefer that he didn't represent any of our current players and future targets? Sure. But am I worried enough that I wouldn't want some of the best players in the world at the club just cause he runs his mouth now and again?

Ole has zero trouble dealing with him, most of the time he just ignores him. And in those situations where Ole snaps back a bit, Mino usually has to backtrack shortly after.

People put way too much weight on whatevers said in the media.

Indeed. Pogba is playing well and hardly a distraction. Its all fluff

 

[georgipep]

There is obviously no guarantees, but it will improve our odds significantly in my opinion. My point is that reclaiming the throne in English football would have an enormous impact on our income, the same would having the greatest and brightest stars in football playing the game for you. Forget about the 75M EUR clause kicking in in summer 2022, he is worth the 120M now. I believe he is that good.

- He has scored 61 clubgoals and assisted 13 since the start of last season in 3953 minutes in all comps. That is a goal every 65 minutes and a contribution every 53 minutes on average. Insane!
- He has scored 16 goals and assisted 1 in his first 900 minutes of CL football. That is a goal every 56 minutes on average in the CL. Mindblowing!
- He has scored 6 goals in 360 minutes in the Nations League for Norway. A goal every 60 minutes.....
- He has the world record for most goals in a World Cup match (U20) with 9 goals in one game, and he was pissed he didn’t score 12. Fastest player to 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 and 16 goals in the CL and still running, fastest player to 10 goals in the Bundesliga, records, records and records. He has the mentality to succeed anywhere he goes.
He is a beast and a winner!

For me this would be a very low risk gamble, an absolute nobrainer and far from overpaying.

You don't have to convince me, I'm a huge Haaland fan but I'm also incredibly cheap and practical when it comes to investment cases. I don't have a proven model to estimate commercial benefits from signing a worldwide football star (as I'm sure he will sell a lot of merch and drive social media engagement through the roof) thus cannot take that into account when evaluating potential transfers. £120m is more than our mandatory annual EBITDA. Considering the uncertainty around this season (record number of new PL player COVID infections last week) and the not-so-remote possibility to have a new hiatus, which would destroy revenue projections, I would never sanction such a transfer fee if I were in charge.

Putting into consideration the fact that winning the league doesn't really bring in that much MORE revenues. For example, two years ago (when City became champions) the first placed team took home only £6m more than the 4th placed (who also qualify for the CL).

I reailze there are additional benefits of being champions but in the world of corporate finance, Profit/Loss statements and business management, an over-investment of nearly £50m really isn't justified by the expected benefits.

I would be very surprised if Manchester United does any serious business this month. We don't have serious injury problems, have considerable depth in every position and are even considering selling and loaning out a few players. Also, why would Dortmund sell Haalad mid-season? Do you think his value will decrease until the summer? If anything, he will continue scoring goals, further proving his class. The summer transfer season will allow clubs to have a more realistic assessment of their financial situations and Dortmund can reasonably expect better returns from a potential bidding war. (unless someone really comes to blow other teams out of the water now with a £120m bid, which as I said, is highly unlikely)

 

[red thru&thru]

You don't have to convince me, I'm a huge Haaland fan but I'm also incredibly cheap and practical when it comes to investment cases. I don't have a proven model to estimate commercial benefits from signing a worldwide football star (as I'm sure he will sell a lot of merch and drive social media engagement through the roof) thus cannot take that into account when evaluating potential transfers. £120m is more than our mandatory annual EBITDA. Considering the uncertainty around this season (record number of new PL player COVID infections last week) and the not-so-remote possibility to have a new hiatus, which would destroy revenue projections, I would never sanction such a transfer fee if I were in charge.

Putting into consideration the fact that winning the league doesn't really bring in that much MORE revenues. For example, two years ago (when City became champions) the first placed team took home only £6m more than the 4th placed (who also qualify for the CL).

I reailze there are additional benefits of being champions but in the world of corporate finance, Profit/Loss statements and business management, an over-investment of nearly £50m really isn't justified by the expected benefits.

I would be very surprised if Manchester United does any serious business this month. We don't have serious injury problems, have considerable depth in every position and are even considering selling and loaning out a few players. Also, why would Dortmund sell Haalad mid-season? Do you think his value will decrease until the summer? If anything, he will continue scoring goals, further proving his class. The summer transfer season will allow clubs to have a more realistic assessment of their financial situations and Dortmund can reasonably expect better returns from a potential bidding war. (unless someone really comes to blow other teams out of the water now with a £120m bid, which as I said, is highly unlikely)

You put this sooo much more eloquently than I was.

Also touching on your point about only winning about £6m more in prize money...winning the league usually means bonuses for all involved, which soon eats away into the money made by winning.

I'm convinced this is why Arsenal were always happy to just finish in top 4 than to ever really try to win the league.

Winning the league obviously gives you more than just money in the short term. For a marketing juggernaut like us, it helps to pull in and charge extra to be associated with the best team in the best league in the world.

 

[Moiraine]

Wasn’t Riola just an advisor for Dortmund move?