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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
James Findlater

Manchester United rue missed opportunity as Jadon Sancho's hopes of Erling Haaland reunion dashed

Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City will no doubt prove quite hard to take for most at Manchester United – not least Jadon Sancho.

The Norwegian superstar has of course had his move to the Etihad confirmed ahead of the summer, with City announcing they had reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund which will see him arrive at Eastlands on July 1. Haaland’s arrival looks set to be one of, if not the deal of the summer, with the Blues beating some of Europe’s biggest names to his signature.

United were among those sides said to be interested for a long time, although as the season wore on, it became clearer and clearer that their hopes were fading. With United searching for a new frontman or two this summer, Haaland’s arrival at Old Trafford would have been quite the coup, especially as they look to get themselves back in contention with the likes of City in the Premier League.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag must complete Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo assignments

Not only would they have been getting one of Europe’s most dangerous marksmen, but they would have had the chance to strike up a proven deadly partnership with Sancho. The pair know each other well from their time together at Dortmund, and they certainly worked well together.

Evidence of their fruitful relationship was evident not only on the pitch, but off it as well, especially when Sancho departed for pastures new. Reacting to the England international’s move to United last summer, Haaland wrote on Instagram: "Good luck on your next journey bro. We had some good times together! Can't wait to see you shine!"

The feeling was obviously mutual, with Sancho responding with: "A connection like no other, we will soon meet again brother. Take care and good luck to you too." That message would have left United fans hopeful that the two would soon be reunited at Old Trafford.

Since that move, it’s been a steep learning curve for Sancho at United as he’s tried to strike up an understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s something that he had no trouble developing with Haaland.

Speaking last season, Sancho said: “Playing behind him (Haaland) and with him is just a great feeling, especially on the training pitch because we work on a lot of things like one-twos. I know where to find him and where he wants the ball, and he knows how I want the ball played to me - so it's a good understanding between us."

The reunion was not meant to be though, and instead the two will face each other as bitter rivals on either side of the great Manchester divide next season. In so many ways, it underlines how much of a missed opportunity Haaland could be for United.

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