Manchester United’s summer business certainly hasn’t been as frantic as many expected, with only three senior additions made during the current transfer window.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have both been signed to improve the midfield department, with the aforementioned duo costing a reported £85m combined.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also arrived at Old Trafford, but will likely arrive as a backup option to provide cover for current number one Senne Lammens.
However, Michael Carrick’s task in the transfer window would be a whole lot easier had the hierarchy agreed a deal for one of Europe’s leading talents a couple of years ago.
How close United came to signing Erling Haaland
There are always cases of what could have been in football, but none quite as big as Erling Haaland and Manchester United after numerous failed attempts at securing his signature.
It’s well documented that former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær desperately wanted the Red Devils to secure his signature – even when the Norwegian star was just breaking out at Molde.
During a previous interview, Solskjaer said: “I called Manchester United six months before I took over and told them that I’d got this striker, this boy Haaland that we had… but they didn’t listen.”
Even after his big move to RB Salzburg, Solskjaer was adamant about securing his services at Old Trafford, going on to say: “I tell the club straight away to buy him while he had a release clause.
“We knew that then, and no one else would’ve paid the money – €20m, it would’ve been a bargain. It was the club’s decision to not go for it then.”
Talisman Haaland has since joined bitter rivals Manchester City and taken his career to stratospheric levels – with the rest being history, as the old adage goes.
|
Teams Erling Haaland has scored most against in the PL |
|
|---|---|
|
Team |
Tally |
|
West Ham United |
11 |
|
Wolves |
10 |
|
Crystal Palace |
8 |
|
Manchester United |
8 |
|
Fulham |
8 |
|
Brighton & Hove Albion |
7 |
|
Everton |
7 |
|
Arsenal |
6 |
He’s won the division’s top goalscorer award in three of his four seasons at the Etihad – even netting eight goals in his seven games against the Red Devils, subsequently showing them what they missed.
How United can land their answer to Haaland this summer
Landing a player of Haaland’s calibre in today’s market would cost a small fortune, with INEOS needing to invest in players who can emulate his feats in the years ahead.
Nick Woltemade has emerged as a surprise option for the Red Devils this summer, but it’s unlikely Newcastle United will allow the German to depart before the end of the window.
However, other targets are still being explored before the window closes, which has seen Inter Milan star Francesco Pio Esposito emerge on their transfer shortlist.
It’s been reported by The Sun that Carrick’s men have been monitoring the Italian’s progress over recent months with a view to making a move for his signature.
The report also states the 21-year-old ‘remains wide open to a dream move to England’, should either United or Arsenal pounce, with a fee of around £73m suggested.
It’s unclear if the Red Devils will make a formal offer in the weeks ahead, but the Italian is a player who could emulate Haaland’s success upon any move to Old Trafford.
Esposito has showcased in recent times that he’s an extremely similar talent to the City star and one who can thrive in the Premier League should he make the move this summer.
The Inter star has gained a reputation for being an aerially dominant talent, just like Haaland, which saw him register 1.3 headed shots in Serie A last season.
The aforementioned tally ranked him in the top 7% of strikers across Europe’s top-five leagues, with such a tally also higher than the Norwegian international.
He also managed to register 1.4 shots on target per 90 in Italy’s top-division last term, which also placed him above 86% of other forwards – allowing him to net 11 goals across all competitions.
Esposito’s dominance in the air is further reflected in his impressive 53% aerial success rate – a figure which was better than that of Haaland throughout 2025/26.
However, his impressive form hasn’t gone unnoticed over recent years, which has seen talent scout Jacek Kulig label the Italian as “one of the most exciting U21 strikers in Europe.”
He would have a long wait to go before emulating the impact of Haaland in the Premier League, but the Inter star has already showcased glimpses of his talent in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.
£73m may be seen as an expensive deal for United this summer, but it could be a bargain if the youngster reaches the next level in his development at Old Trafford.
Missing out on talented youngsters has come back to bite the Red Devils in recent years, with INEOS needing to ensure they don’t suffer the same fate with Esposito.