Dimitar Berbatov believes the potential arrival of Erling Haaland would hamper the development of Manchester United's other young strikers.
United head scout Marcel Bout went to watch Red Bull Salzburg striker Haaland in the Champions League as the Austrian side lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
The 19-year-old has been linked with a move to a number of top European clubs after scoring 28 goals in 22 games this season.
Berbatov insists former club United should opt against signing Haaland and focus on developing Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.
"[Haaland] is good and he is still young," said Berbatov, who made 149 appearances for United. "He is developing and maybe he can get better."
"But I've said many times before that Martial and Rashford are, for me, the two main strikers that Manchester United need to keep. I love them.
"I played with Martial in Monaco, I know how good he can be. Now he is in the place he can develop and become a world star.
"Everyone knows how good Rashford can be as well. He is still 22, something like that, so he still has a long way to go and he can become even better.
"So, for me, they need to stick with these two players."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given plenty of opportunities to all three of United's young forwards this season.
Rashford, Martial and 18-year-old Greenwood have made 56 appearances between them this campaign, scoring a collective 26 goals.
Berbatov admits he is not sure if Leeds-born Haaland fits the mould of what United fans want to see.
"If they need to buy one more [striker], I'm not sure because Manchester United fans want to see speed, beating players, getting past players, having confidence, scoring fantastic goals," Berbatov added.
"I'm not sure that if they buy a typical centre-forward, he's going to fit into the system. I forgot about Mason Greenwood as well.
"I said it before, if you buy someone, the players will be like, 'wait a minute, I'm young and if you buy someone it means you don't trust me.'
"They need to stick with these young players because they have so much talent. Just nurture them, show them the right way and they'll be fantastic."
Iamdaphoenix
0
Wrong quotes We don't need a LWF Rashford and Martial can play there CB is not a priority we have Tuanzebe who is just 21 and also Tim fosu mensah We only need a CF and a CAM
Sorry buh wen last did u see mensah in action and you really tink you can challenge city and liverpool with Tuanzebe? big joke... yea we do nid a RWF, CB, CAM, and a CF facts
Pahbmno
0
Berbatov doesn’t know what he is saying this team need completion and he was the one that said last month that man united need good striker and this dude have so why saying another thing Mr Dimitar Berbatov
ArjunUtd
0
we signed you bebertov when we had Tevez and Wayne Rooney ....so y don't u want us to sign Halaad to bring competition and harwork in pitch for better results look at Liverpool and city they gave perfect competition in the forward line so stop being an enemy of progress 🤔🤔
Best comment I'm applauding for you mate
jibdilmt
1
we need Hawang
Mbq
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
Its really unfortunate we have Raiola in the picture I understand the uncertainty around signing Haaland. But then finding the right targets to the positions you have mentioned could be difficult in January. If we could get Haaland this window and also Reinforce the midfield and Right wing with quality players in the summer then we should have a strong squad and could really challenge for titles.
Hamainosu
2
calm down bro. we need +ve competition within the squad. and remember any of them could be injured or have their low days. and that time united need another top player to keep the tempo of positive results
Mendesi
1
How many years do you want United to develop martial. Ole should recruit more prolific players so that there will be competition amongst them.
Nastin237
1
haaland is a beta striker
dubdinopst
2
we want sancho first
poybknoy
1
We beg Bebertov to leave this transfer for alone.We really need Haaland at United
RichardCfC
0
This Riola guy is a disease.... I don't know the guy on a personal level, but I can imagine him being an arsehole
ManUtdRed
0
I have seen a couple of Salzburg games, so not just YouTube. You could be right about Martial's link up play is better than Haaland, but the latter is a better finisher. My point is signing Haaland is not hampering the rebuilding of the squad. In football you encounter different scenarios and some will require a poacher, so it's a good thing to also have a poacher in the squad. It could also work with Haaland as teh centre forward, Martial as a deep lying striker/shadow striker to link up play from midfield with either of Rashford/James/Greenwood on the flanks in sort of a 424
You are not wrong but then we could invest wisely in other position like midfielder or a RW,or a forward who could play in different position. Haaland is also demanding huge wages and Raiola wants 12m for himself,also Haaland only wants to join the club where he will be guranteed to start
Mbq
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
I have seen a couple of Salzburg games, so not just YouTube. You could be right about Martial's link up play is better than Haaland, but the latter is a better finisher. My point is signing Haaland is not hampering the rebuilding of the squad. In football you encounter different scenarios and some will require a poacher, so it's a good thing to also have a poacher in the squad. It could also work with Haaland as teh centre forward, Martial as a deep lying striker/shadow striker to link up play from midfield with either of Rashford/James/Greenwood on the flanks in sort of a 424
radcdlno
0
Before we get plenty of forwards can we get plenty of player makers ? and Creativity ?
radcdlno
1
Competition is good even Tevez Rooney Ronaldo Giggs on the wing we still took you ...having 5 forwards isint a crime especially if you are ready to compete in 4+ competition ...But seriously Halad ? with Raiola not the best deal out there
rudeikmnty
0
I think barbatov is right, I also have the same thinking as him, the important layers we need is a good holding midfielder n a good attacking midfielder like Maddison, Bruno or Erikson
Neobcdeit
0
Yes Really we need Haaland and Sancho improve middifilders with Pogba/Mctominy/Fred/Lingard/Pereira/Matic is ok just buy Haaland and Sancho Incase of Substitute or injures
ManUtdRed
0
Cmon bro....go on YouTube and check Haaland clips, he is not a forward who stays in the box as u claim. This guy comes deep and runs at defenders through the middle.,..he will be complimented well by the speedy Rashford,James or Martial. Pliz look again at his highlights
Bro You Tube vedio might make u believe that even Lukaku drops down deep,just watch how Salzberg set up,Minamino amd Hee Chawng are other two fowards who create chances while Haaland is a poacher. And u know in future we are going to see Greenwood on the right and Rashy on the left,both likes to gets in goalscoring position so we need someone who can create chances for them,Haaland's ball control and link up play is not as good as of Martial.We need some at CF who is kbown for his link up play not his goalscoring ability. Haaland is more of like Lukaku,Immobile or Icardi rather than of Firmino,Jesus or Martial.
Mbq
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
Cmon bro....go on YouTube and check Haaland clips, he is not a forward who stays in the box as u claim. This guy comes deep and runs at defenders through the middle.,..he will be complimented well by the speedy Rashford,James or Martial. Pliz look again at his highlights
NoLimitz
0
I thought we all criticised Ole when he didnt replace Lukaku. Buying Halland wount hurt us to my own opinion. Greenwood is Alexis replacement already. We also need a midfielder, maybe Maddison. We may regret it if we dont get Halland, he is the antedote to big defenders like VVD. My only fear is Raiola the worm
cahekmnrty
2
Good for Martial
ManUtdRed
0
You don't know that bro. How would u know they would never sign someone like him? They are well stocked so no need.,.but there is a reason why many big clubs are after him..these are professional scouts and experienced people not like fans, so there is a reason that you seem not to see
Mane and Salah likes to run into the spaces created by Firmino when he drops deep and pull CB out of his position,a player like Haaland wants to stay inside the box which would mean the likes of Salah and Mane's game will be restricted and they would play more of as wide players rather than inside forward. Martial is quite similar to Firmino,and do u actually believe Rashford would be playing as well as he playing now without Martial,clearly Rashford was wasteful as a CF and he started to perform only when Martial came back from injury,if we sign Haaland the role of Rashford would be restricted. Look at Real Madrid in their prime,the reason why Ronaldo and Bale were scoring that many goals bcoz Benzema was dropping deep.
Viyacekloy
4
we signed you bebertov when we had Tevez and Wayne Rooney ....so y don't u want us to sign Halaad to bring competition and harwork in pitch for better results look at Liverpool and city they gave perfect competition in the forward line so stop being an enemy of progress 🤔🤔
sammie444
0
lies when the games are coming fast and thick every one is important..
Leontheguru
1
if a player is good enough they will play and earn their spot above any teammate and that should especially be practised at a big club like United let players compete for their place in the starting XI they will be mentally stronger because of it
Abae
2
We respect you but stop thinking like a child
Mbq
0
His link up play is not as good as that of Martial and Greenwood,just look at the his team he is the main guy there,he plays with a 10 and a second striker.He is not the guy who will do well with two inverted wingers. Just look at Liverpool,there's some reason why they play Firmino as a striker even if he don't score many goals,they will never sign someone like Haaland.
You don't know that bro. How would u know they would never sign someone like him? They are well stocked so no need.,.but there is a reason why many big clubs are after him..these are professional scouts and experienced people not like fans, so there is a reason that you seem not to see
Fopaeikrst
0
sometime ...i think the same..
Cristiano_007
4
They said in 2013 that signing lewandowski would hamper welbeck’s development. Now look what happened
opiofrancis
3
bring Haaland and let there be competition, you will see the real man u fire power that we are yearning for. Fans will be happy week in week out.
sanjoy2018
1
yes ,atlast anyone speak truth such a arrogant,overconfident guy definetly hamper the dressing room environment....
ManUtdRed
0
I would not say Haaland would potentially destroy the rebuilding of the squad. He is a centre forward and comes deep to get the ball, he can run at defenders through the middle, he can score screamers as well as tap-ins. He has a powerful shot and an eye for a goal can play with his back to the goal and play in other players..flanked by either Rashford/Martial/James it can be a devastating attack. Also it will add numbers to the squad for competition so in my opinion not a bad target.
His link up play is not as good as that of Martial and Greenwood,just look at the his team he is the main guy there,he plays with a 10 and a second striker.He is not the guy who will do well with two inverted wingers. Just look at Liverpool,there's some reason why they play Firmino as a striker even if he don't score many goals,they will never sign someone like Haaland.
Nick_tuneffi
0
Does Halaand play the same position and Rashy?? And does he think Martial can keep going at Utd with that attitude
jumbcdeitu
0
such a waste
vutilrstz
0
Mancborn
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
bro he might prove u wrong.
Visbimnoru
3
real talks like speed beating players , getting past players , having confidence, scoring fantastic goals like rashfod does💯❤️🤟 #bigupunitedfans
maebeimntu
0
That's true
Soaalnopu
2
martial needs someone to compete with him otherwise he will continue with this laziness style
Mbq
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
I would not say Haaland would potentially destroy the rebuilding of the squad. He is a centre forward and comes deep to get the ball, he can run at defenders through the middle, he can score screamers as well as tap-ins. He has a powerful shot and an eye for a goal can play with his back to the goal and play in other players..flanked by either Rashford/Martial/James it can be a devastating attack. Also it will add numbers to the squad for competition so in my opinion not a bad target.
clue_l3ss
0
Shut up
Lien_Meizap
0
The thing is when i jury creeps in...there is no substitute... Greenwood and Martial only
vaycksu
0
Manchester United board , please don't be fooled with this so called Barbara toff.What we want is competition among the strikers.Just bring ha,ha,ha ,haaland full stop.
Wiyceknsuz
0
the same thing I've been saying, our main problem right now is playing with no playmaker. we have a very dangerous front three but no playmaker
yuocknoru
0
the teams struggling to score goals because theres no proper no.10
That’s another problem needs to be addressed but still we need pure finisher . Our midfielders are not that good on high level football. To be honest we have two starters at midfielder shouldn’t be playing for Man U . Our strikers are missing some open shots . If they know that somebody is waiting to take they position they do better
nunaclnsuz
0
The team is struggling to score goals and this guy is running his mouth. Ronaldo and Romey came Manchester when the team was on fire and including him too . These young players needs that competition for the jersey. We can’t wait until they are ready to play .
the teams struggling to score goals because theres no proper no.10
Game_Boy
0
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
yep
yuocknoru
0
The team is struggling to score goals and this guy is running his mouth. Ronaldo and Romey came Manchester when the team was on fire and including him too . These young players needs that competition for the jersey. We can’t wait until they are ready to play .
ManUtdRed
1
The reality is most Utd fans who wants Haaland have got no idea what kind of player he is,the just believe he is going to score goals even without any service.He's just going to destroy our build up play.No top team in Europe plays with that kind of striker anymore.
Vezonic22
2
Noo man Berba is right if we to bolster our team we need to check out the Midi there should be anew Matic type and a Bruno Fernandes who can bring in those killer attacks supporting these guys Upfront James ,Rashi & Martial trust me things will change but bringing in Halaand in this tight league is going to creat new news that Man united we desperate and have fake attackers simple lets praise and trust the RMJ then all will be good
We will see about the midfield and fix it but we need a formidable striking force + a strong, solid defense too.