Ralf Rangnick 'pushing' Man Utd to sign Erling Haaland

Ralf Rangnick is 'pushing' for Manchester United to try and sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland is the most in-demand striker in world football with almost every top club in Europe chasing his signature. Real Madrid are thought to be leading the race at present, but Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Barcelona and several others are also in the running.

United were linked with Haaland before he signed for Dortmund and according to MEN, they are once again pushing for a deal after encouragement from Rangnick.

The Red Devils interim manager has already been in touch with Alf-Inge Haaland, the player's father, about the possibility of his son signing for the club. The pair are said to maintain a 'cordial relationship' from Rangnick's time as Red Bull sporting director, when he helped broker the striker's switch from Molde to RB Salzburg.

United are also confident that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure will not affect their chances of landing the free-scoring Norwegian. Solskjaer previously managed Haaland at Molde, but their relationship has not been as strong since the player turned down a move to United in 2020.

What would harm United's hopes of landing their man would be failing to qualify for the Champions League. They are currently sixth in the Premier League, five points adrift of Arsenal in fourth with two games in hand.

Rangnick has spoken warmly of the BVB man in the past, making the idea that he'd want to bring him to Old Trafford all the more plausible.

"Erling Haaland is a fantastic striker," he said at his first press conference as United boss at the beginning of the month.

"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."

Haaland has a €75m release that becomes active in 2022, meaning he represents extraordinary value for money even in the current market.

His agent Mino Raiola recently denied that an agreement had been reached with Real Madrid and even hinted that his client could stay at Dortmund beyond the summer.

For more from Matt O’Connor-Simpson, follow him on Twitter!