Borussia Dortmund chief confirms reason Erling Haaland's Man Utd transfer collapsed

Borussia Dortmund chief-executive officer Hand-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that Manchester United missed out on the chance to sign Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian was already one of the most exciting talents in European football when he decided he would be leaving RB Salzburg at the end of 2019. Having coached the forward during his time at Molde, then United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hopeful of a reunion. It is believed Solskjaer went as far as flying out to Austria to meet Erling and his father Alfie, but the Red Devils were unsuccessful with Dortmund winning the race, completing an £18million deal.

And it’s a what if that will continue to haunt United, with Haaland now firmly established as one of the most feared attacking players in world football. During his two-and-a-half years in German football, Haaland has scored 82 goals in 86 matches and is set to bank Dortmund a significant profit.

It now appears a foregone conclusion that the 21-year-old will make his next move at the end of the season, with United’s near-neighbours Manchester City the favourites to trigger his £63m release clause.

And it was the inclusion of that clause - and United’s unwillingness to do so - which meant Haaland played at Dortmund rather than Old Trafford, Watzke has confirmed to 19:09 talk: "We gave Erling Haaland a release clause... otherwise he would have gone to Manchester United.

Watzke has also all-but confirmed their star asset will leave the club this summer, with plans already in place to find his replacement. "He has a decision to make, it will come eventually. But I'm sure we'll find the new Haaland. We need the new Haaland."

United were linked with a move for Haaland this time around, but their current malaise -