This article forms part of our Transfer Scenario feature, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at a recent transfer rumour and suggests what the potential consequences would be, should a deal be completed.
Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland is one of the most talked-about players in Europe at present.
At just 19 years of age, the Norwegian marksman stole the newspaper back pages last week with his emphatic display against Genk in the Champions League, scoring a first-half hat-trick in Salzburg’s 6-2 demolition of the Belgian Jupiler League outfit.
Predictably, after scoring three goals in one match in the Champions League at such a tender age, the Scandinavian is now being linked to a whole host of huge clubs, including Barcelona and Juventus.
Manchester United (via Sky Sports) are also thought to be severely interested in obtaining the youngsters signature, too, and Transfer Tavern has taken a look at the potential consequences of his arrival, should he link up with the Red Devils next year.
More attacking options for Solskjaer
It’s no secret that United are struggling for personnel in the forward areas at the moment. After Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez were both allowed to leave the club in the summer to join Inter Milan, it has now left the 20-time English champions with just two senior, recognised forwards at their disposal – Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
17-year-old Mason Greenwood is the next best thing, and although he is a player of huge potential, and definitely one for the future at Old Trafford – proven by the fact United have offered him an astonishing new £25,000-a-week five-year deal – he does lack the experience and know-how required to lead the line in a side gunning for the Premier League title.
Haaland will be 20 next summer, which is still young, of course, but he would have had an entire season playing Champions League and top-flight Austrian football under his belt by then and bring with him a fine balance of youth and experience because of it.
Already this term, the teenager has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in just eight Austrian Bundesliga appearances, per Transfermarkt, showing just what an immense talent he really is.
He seems the perfect fit for United, who are absolutely desperate for goals having scored just eight all season – the same amount as Manchester City scored in one match last weekend when they stuffed Watford 8-0 at the Etihad.
Greenwood’s route to the first-team blocked
As mentioned above, Mason Greenwood is currently being called upon by United due to their lack of attacking options and the fact that both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have both been suffering with respective injuries.
The 17-year-old got his first start of the campaign against Astana in the Europa League last week, and put in a solid performance by scoring the match-winner against the Kazakhstani outfit.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that Greenwood will ‘definitely’ play against Arsenal next Monday in the absence of Marcus Rashford (via the Metro), which is another great opportunity for him to showcase his talents on the main stage.
However, should Halaand join the Red Devils next year, Greenwood would be the first to fall right back down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
He is third-choice striker at the club at the moment, which is understandable considering his age and lack of experience, but is currently being entrusted with more responsibility because of the situation at the club at the moment. Halaand’s arrival would undoubtedly serve as a boost to the club, though it would perhaps see Greenwood neglected in the process.
United fans, what are your views on Haaland? Let us know by commenting below!
