Trevor Sinclair has suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was only handed a new Manchester United contract to help them land Erling Haaland.
Solskjaer was given a new deal up to 2024 despite failing to win any silverware in his first two-and-a-half years in charge.
The Norwegian has been backed in the transfer market with Jadon Sancho the club’s latest addition in a £73million deal with Borussia Dortmund.
United also have aspirations on signing Haaland next year when his £68million release clause becomes active.
Dortmund are determined to keep hold of him for another season, despite Chelsea’s interest this summer, but there will be no shortage of suitors when he is available for a cut price fee.
The Red Devils might just have the edge, with Solskjaer having worked closely with Haaland at Norwegian side Molde.
Former Man City winger Sinclair suggested that could be the reason why Solskjaer was handed a new deal.
In an exchange with Jamie O’Hara live on talkSPORT, Sinclair explained why a move to United makes sense for the striker who would surely have his pick of any top club of European football next summer.
Sinclair: “When you hear little sound bites of Haaland saying ‘maybe play again with you soon’ and that relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is that why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given this contract at Manchester United?
“If he [Haaland] is going to stay at Borussia Dortmund this season and then allowed to leave for his buyout clause next season, would Ole, who has got a good relationship with Haaland, be in the main seat?”
O’Hara: “Manchester United are a huge football club, but if you’ve got suitors like Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City…”
Sinclair: “He could be the missing piece, though. If you go to Manchester United and win their first Premier League title, for now in eight years, this season if they don’t win it will be nine years.
“It will be the tenth year without winning the Premier League title [if he signs next summer and the Red Devils miss out again]. There’s a lot of glory going to Manchester United and being their No.9.
“If you go there and back yourself to be with Jadon and their No.9 who is going to score all the goals to take Manchester United to the title, there’s a huge amount of glory there.”
O’Hara: “I get it, but wouldn’t you rather go somewhere where you are almost guaranteed to have success?”
Sinclair: “No, not really. I’d back myself. It’s a massive football club.”
O’Hara: “If you are one of the best strikers in the world and you’ve got a move on the cards, you are Erling Haaland, you have Real Madrid, Man City and Manchester United come in for you.
“Are you telling me, you are going to take Manchester United?”
Sinclair: “It’s an easy one for me, with my blue tinted glasses.”
O’Hara: “Okay, take City out of the equation. PSG, Real Madrid and Manchester United?”
Sinclair: “I think I’d go Manchester United, especially if I’ve got a good relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and I know Jadon, and he has a really good season this year.
“There’s a massive argument to say he should go to Manchester United.”