Jack Otway: Manchester United should ready legendary number 7 jersey for Erling Haaland
According to Jack Otway of The Express, Manchester United can get a leg up in their efforts to sign Erling Haaland if they offer him the No.7 jersey.
The Red Devils are extremely keen on the 20-year-old and are among a number of clubs chasing his signature. With competition high, the club should be doing everything they can to gain an advantage.
With Edinson Cavani’s future unclear, his No.7 jersey could be made available come the summer.
One of the club’s legendary squad numbers, it has been worn by the likes of Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. By handing it to Haaland, United would be placing not only expectations but great faith in him.
While that may certainly be the case, it is at best a symbolic commitment and we are unsure if Haaland’s head will be swayed by it. The striker is currently hot property and can have his pick of suitors.
There is a sense of deja vu regarding the approach. United were touted to make a similar strategy last summer in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
But it failed to tip the scales in our favour, with Dortmund holding firm in their demands. Haaland is currently a bigger asset and it is difficult to see the Germans give in unless their demands are met.
Unless United come up with something better, we are unlikely to gain any advantage in the transfer race.
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While the jersey may mean a lot to us, it may not be the same case for someone unassociated with the club such as Haaland. The club will have to do a lot more than just maybe gestures to land the prolific Norwegian.
