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What Solskjaer told Haaland after Man City transfer in funny text exchange

talksport.com, 14 July 2022, 14:58
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent a cheeky text message to new Man City striker Erling Haaland, telling him he'd joined the 'wrong side'.

Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United last November but spent almost two years coaching Haaland during their time together at Norwegian side Molde.

Haaland showed early signs of becoming the feared marksman he is today under the leadership of Solskjaer, where he scored 20 goals in 50 games in his homeland which earned him a move to RB Salzburg.

The 21-year-old completed a sensational £51million move from Borussia Dortmund to Man City last month, having turned down the overtures from some of Europe's top clubs.

That includes United, with Solskjaer desperate to bring the young goalmachine to Old Trafford during his tenure in charge… only for him to pick their arch rivals instead.

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Haaland revealed a jokey text message exchange with Solskjaer following the official announcement of his switch to City.

"When I signed with City he congratulated me and wrote to me 'Good luck on going to the wrong side of Manchester'," said Haaland of his old boss.

"We talk sometimes. As you know, he had a huge impact on my career when I was at Molde. He's a good guy."

Haaland also revealed that now was the right time in his career to join City and views his career choices as 'perfect' as he embarks on his first season in the Premier League.

"Three years ago City didn't want me because they had Sergio Aguero up front, so then there was no choice about coming to Man City," added the boyhood Cityzens fan, whose father player for the club.

"Basically, my feeling was I felt more going to the other place than coming here to England. I could have come here a lot of times in my career but I felt the other place and I think it was a really good choice.

"I have made perfect choices ever since I went to Molde, then Salzburg and Dortmund. I'm not complaining about that."

Haaland has been prolific in front of goal since leaving Molde in 2019, scoring 29 goals in 27 games for RB Salzburg before bagging a staggering 85 goals in 88 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.

If the Norwegian continues on his upward trend, he could prove to be the key component for City in their quest to land the ever-elusive Champions League trophy.

Haaland could get his first taste of Premier League action when City begin their title defence with a trip to West Ham on August 7.

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