Erling Haaland makes surprise admission about two ex-Manchester United role models

Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland has revealed that two former Manchester United forwards, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin van Persie, were pivotal influences on his development as a goal-scorer. Speaking in a recent interview with TNT Sports, the Norwegian international said he closely studied both players during his formative years.

“I watched Zlatan a lot when I was young,” Haaland explained. “Then there was also Robin in the Premier League. He was left-footed, with crazy finishes.”

The admission is striking given Haaland’s well-documented ties to City and the long-standing rivalry between the Manchester clubs. United were heavily linked with the striker before he opted for Borussia Dortmund and, ultimately, the Etihad Stadium, where he has since shattered scoring records and collected major honours.

Haaland’s relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer—his former Molde manager and later United boss—has kept him loosely tethered to Old Trafford storylines. The pair were photographed together recently, reviving talk of what might have been had United secured his signature. Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has since suggested the move was never realistic, claiming the forward was effectively “destined” for City because of his father Alf-Inge’s history with the club.

Nevertheless, Haaland’s latest comments underscore a broader truth in modern football: inspiration often ignores club boundaries. For supporters on both sides of Manchester, the revelation that a City superstar honed his craft by watching United greats offers a rare moment of shared appreciation amid an otherwise fierce divide.