Mino Raiola insists Haaland rejected United

Mino Raiola has insisted that there was “no fall-out” between himself and Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward during failed negotiations to bring Erling Braut Haaland to Old Trafford.

Former RB Salzburg striker Haaland – who scored 28 goals in 22 games for the Austrian side this season – was announced as a Borussia Dortmund player on Sunday after months of speculation about his future.

United were said to have Haaland high on their list of targets for the January transfer window, while Juventus and RB Leipzig were all reported to be keen.

Indeed, after the 19-year-old’s next destination was confirmed, reports surfaced indicating that super-agent Raiola had a telling influence – along with Haaland’s father – in talks with United breaking down .

However, speaking to the Daily Telegraph , Raiola has disputed this, insisting that it was down to the player to decide his own future.

“I do not know if Manchester United are briefing this but if they are then they are covering their own loss and that I find strange and disappointing,” the 52-year-old said.

“There was no fall-out between me and Ed Woodward. It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path.

“If they want to blame someone then, fine, blame me but the player is happy. He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.

“The club that he had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United. Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career.

“He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs. When you are 19 then maybe you prefer not to go to the Premier League.”

Raiola also spoke to Sky Sports News about the talks, adding: “Everyone is speaking about Manchester United but there were 12 clubs interested in him.

“We had serious talks with everybody. At the end it is the athlete, it is the player that has to have the best feeling and the ultimate decision. We had serious talks with everybody and on the same grounds.

“I don’t understand why in England there is such a buzz about why he has chosen Borussia Dortmund. He is a young player and he has all the time to come to the Premier League in his career and we hope there will be a time.

I have never entered into details of negotiations so I will not do that now. I also feel I don’t have to defend myself [about] this kind of politics.”

United return to action on New Years’ Day with a clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford, before facing Wolves away from home in the FA Cup.