Talk about football role models has come back into focus recently.
Last week, we reported that Arsenal winger Noni Madueke named Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo as his biggest inspiration, highlighting the lasting influence of Old Trafford stars on younger players.
Now, a Manchester City player has made an interesting revelation.
Erling Haaland, despite his strong ties to Manchester City, has admitted that two former Manchester United forwards have greatly influenced his development as a striker.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, the Norwegian shared that he closely followed both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin van Persie during his younger years.
“I watched Zlatan a lot when I was young,” Haaland stated. “Then there was also Robin in the Premier League. He was left-footed, with amazing finishes.”
This comment is notable, especially considering Haaland’s background with Manchester United.
The striker has maintained a good relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was his coach at Molde and later managed Manchester United.
Recently, the two were photographed together, sparking discussions about what could have happened if things had gone differently.
Manchester United had been strongly linked with Haaland, but he ultimately chose Borussia Dortmund before moving to Manchester City.
Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward mentioned that the forward seemed “destined” for Manchester City, considering his father Alf-Inge’s history with the club.
This has certainly come to pass.
Since joining City, Haaland has broken numerous scoring records and added major trophies to his collection.
His recent admission shows that even one of the most successful strikers for City has learned from players who once played for United.
This serves as an interesting reminder that football inspiration often goes beyond rivalry.