Rangnick working behind-the-scenes to bring Haaland to Man Utd

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick feels he can bring Erling Haaland to Old Trafford.

The Manchester Evening News says Rangnick is pushing for United to sign Haaland despite intense competition for the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Rangnick has recently spoken to Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, about possibility of his son signing for United next year. Rangnick retains a cordial relationship with Alf-Inge Haaland from when he was Red Bull sporting director and oversaw Haaland's move to Red Bull Salzburg from Molde in 2018.

Haaland, 21, came close to joining United two years ago but the Norwegian chose Dortmund, where he has plundered 76 goals in 74 games. Haaland's €75million release clause becomes active in 2022 and he seems almost certain to leave Dortmund.

United do not believe the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who managed Haaland at Molde, would hamper their chances of signing Haaland. Sources say Solskjaer's relationship with Haaland was not as warm following the collapse of his prospective move to United in December 2019.

"Erling Haaland is a fantastic striker," Rangnick said at his introductory press conference three weeks ago. "I know best myself, because I was together with the people at Salzburg with my friend Kristoff and the people there were a little bit involved in the move from Molde to Salzburg, and therefore I know what kind of player he is.

"I'm more than happy with the offensive strike power we have here and the offensive players we have here, and quite a few of them did not play [against Arsenal]. Martial only came on in the last five minutes, Mason [Greenwood] didn't play at all, we have so many top players in the offensive department that we don't need to speak about any other players."