Is Haaland the ‘last piece in the jigsaw puzzle’ for City’s UCL hopes?
By Peter Kenyon
The 21-year-old Dutch international midfielder joined Manchester United on loan from Ajax in the summer of 2011, but only has one previous loan spell to his name and that ended just days after joining United.
However, Haaland is likely to be given permanent and long term deal with United when he returns to Amsterdam in June.
The versatile centre-midfielder could be the perfect player for United. He can play behind the main striker, but alongside either Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie. He could even be a more traditional centre-forward like the legendary Eric Cantona and David Platt, albeit being a little bigger.
Haaland impressed during his loan spell at United, scoring six times in 19 appearances, and it is not out of the question that he could become Manchester United’s next great player.
However, it would be quite an accomplishment for Haaland to get the chance to play for an English club.
Haaland started his career at Ajax and then moved on to Club Brugge in 2000. He spent three years at Brugge, making 91 appearances in total, scoring 12 times.
Ajax manager Peter Bosz is the man Haaland joined for his next move, and then he was told that United were after him.
Bosz wanted Haaland to play as a central midfield player, but the youngster turned every possible player down and instead said he wanted to go abroad to play football.
Haaland was always reluctant to move away from his home country. He eventually found a new club in England and signed for Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton boss Ian Holloway knew Haaland a long time and the Dutch midfielder had been one of his favourite players when he played for Holloway’s Bury.
He said: “I was pretty happy to see Haaland join Bolton. He’s a big talent, a guy who can play in different roles. He’ll add something to our midfield.
“He’s a very experienced player who had a spell at Manchester United, too.”
Haaland may have had his first and only loan spell at United, but Bosz will have been happy that the youngster did a