![\"Ole](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2231818500.jpg\")
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was denied his transfer demands(Image: Arif Hudaverdi Yaman\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\nFormer Manchester United manager and striker Ole Gunner Solskjaer wanted some top players during his time at Old Trafford, when they were still young in their careersOle Gunnar Solskjaer was denied his transfer demands(Image: Arif Hudaverdi Yaman\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to sign three of world football’s megastars when he was in charge of Manchester United<\/a>, when they were still available for bargain prices. The Norwegian coach was keen to land Erling Haaland<\/a>, Jude Bellingham<\/a> and Declan Rice<\/a> before they had fully made their names.<\/p>\n Solskjaer urged United’s hierarchy to move quickly, according to The Mail<\/a>. It was not to be for the Red Devils as they instead spent \u00a339million for Donny van de Beek in 2020<\/a>, and \u00a373m for Jadon Sancho<\/a> and \u00a313m for Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n Initially taking over as interim boss, Solskjaer was in charge of United from 2018 until 2021. At that time, Haaland was racking up goals at Red Bull<\/a> Salzburg, Bellingham was breaking out at Birmingham City and Rice cemented himself as a key player at West Ham<\/a>.<\/p>\n Solskjaer saw Haaland and Bellingham both join Borussia Dortmund<\/a> in 2020 and have since joined Manchester City<\/a> and Real Madrid<\/a>, respectively.<\/p>\n United’s signings failed to pan out. Van de Beek could not break into the Red Devils’ side and spent time on loan before making his exit<\/a>, while Jadon Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa<\/a>, having been cast aside by Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Man Utd contact FIFA after player blocked from appearing in Premier League match<\/a>READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp makes Sir Alex Ferguson feelings clear as he names four best managers ever<\/a><\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, saw his contract ended early via mutual consent<\/a>. The Portuguese icon failed to gel with Ten Hag, and they quickly parted ways.<\/p>\n Solskjaer has previously spoken about how he encouraged United to sign Haaland in the summer of 2018, months before he replaced Jose Mourinho<\/a> as boss. The former forward repeated the advice when in the dugout as Haaland had a release clause and little competition present for his signature.<\/p>\n Speaking to the Stick To Football podcast<\/a>, Solskjaer said: “Erling was with me at Molde for two seasons, more or less. The summer before I came, I rang the club and said: ‘You have to sign this boy, he is going to be absolutely top class.’ That was in June or July and they said they didn’t have enough reports.<\/p>\n “By the time I came in as caretaker, we [Molde] had sold him to Salzburg. I tell the club straight away: ‘Buy him.’ He had a release clause. No-one else then would have paid that money. It was 20m euros and it would have been a bargain. It was the club’s decision to not go for him then.<\/p>\n “We didn’t go for him until he started scoring for Salzburg but then Dortmund, Juventus<\/a>, everyone was there.”<\/p>\n Solskjaer did manage to at least have a conversation with Bellingham, but the England star’s demands were more easily met elsewhere. “We had Jude in the building,” said Solskjaer.<\/p>\n “We sold the club to him as best we could but he wanted X amount of minutes. He is the most mature 17-year-old I ever met in my life.”<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Ole](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-and-Erling-Braut-Haaland.jpg\")
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erling Braut Haaland at Molde(Image: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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