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Erling Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, admits they opted for Borussia Dortmund over Manchester United because they felt "the whole club wanted him".

The Norwegian has hit the big time this season thanks to a hugely fruitful spell with Red Bull Salzburg in which he scored 28 times.

Haaland became the youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trick and those exploits earned him a move to Dortmund.

United were interested in the 19-year-old but Alfe-Infe concedes he had fears over whether Haaland would still be a favourite at Old Trafford if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was shown the door.

The United boss worked with a young Haaland at Molde and wasn't shy in confessing his interest.

(Image: YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

But the lack of continuity in the dugout proved to be a telling factor in the move.

"You never know how it would go in other clubs. It may well have been good, too, if we had chosen a different route. We’ll never get an answer to that. But we are very happy with the clubs he has been in,” he told TV2.

“You have to go to a club where the whole club wants you, not just the coach. I think that’s the most important thing, in addition to how the club has been over the last five or ten years and what direction they’ve taken.”

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“Because it’s dangerous to just sign for a coach, because he can suddenly be sacked.”

Haaland's appetite for goals has not waned in the Bundesliga which was underlined by a hat-trick on his debut.

He has gone on to score 12 goals in just 11 games for Dortmund and smashed home a match-winning brace in their 2-1 over PSG.

United's interest in Haaland has not disappeared though amid reports the striker will be available for £63m next summer.