Erling Haaland speaks out on ‘comical’ Man Utd wage demands and defends Mino Raiola

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has slammed reports that his wage demands caused a prospective move to Manchester United to fall through during the January window.

The 19-year-old striker left Red Bull Salzburg for Dortmund last month and has enjoyed a prolific start to his career in Germany, scoring eight goal in his first 270 minutes of action.

United had been tracking Haaland – who played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde – but the deal reportedly never got off the ground due to a release clause the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, insisted on as well as his hefty wage demands.

But Haaland has hit back at those suggestions and insists money did not play a significant factor in his transfer decision, with a move to Dortmund the best step for his development.

Asked about the rumours United balked at Haaland’s wage demands, the young forward told Viasport: ‘No, it’s the guys writing would have to speak to that.

‘They’ll have to explain it to me if they meet me. It’s not my focus whatsoever.

‘It’s kind of comical if I were to get that label. All the people closest to me know that’s not the kind of person I am.’

On snubbing a reunion with Solskjaer, he added: ‘Ole has been very important for me in getting to where I am today. But we concluded that Dortmund was the best option for me.

‘That was where I felt best about, and therefore it became Dortmund.’

United’s failed move for Haaland is also believed to have been influenced by agent Raiola – who looks set to secure a transfer away from Old Trafford for Paul Pogba too – but Haaland defended his representative.

He added: ‘He’s the best in the world at what he does, as simple as that. He’s the best agent.

‘He gets a lot of negativity, and that’s probably because he’s doing such a great job for those he’s working for. He has helped a lot and he’s a good guy to have around.’

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Source: Metro News UK