Manchester United have been presented with the unique opportunity of pairing one of the best players of his generation, with the player ultimately tipped to replace him.
United didn’t go into the summer window believing they could land Cristiano Ronaldo, but when it became clear the Portuguese icon was looking to leave Juventus, they moved quickly.
His return was one of the more dramatic moments of 2021, completing a dramatic turnaround from what looked like a potential move to Manchester City.
And he has hit the ground running with 13 goals in 18 appearances since donning his old No.7 jersey again.
But his impact hasn’t changed the club's long-term plan to eventually sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
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The Red Devils came close to landing the Norwegian two years ago, before ultimately joining the Bundesliga giants.
That unsuccessful attempt hasn’t deterred anyone at Old Trafford, with signing the prolific forward still one of their priorities for 2022.
According to the Manchester Evening News, interim boss Ralf Rangnick has already opened talks with Erling’s father Alf-Inge, having established a relationship with the family during his time at RB Salzburg.
Haaland’s release clause, which will enable potential suitors to land him for less than £65million becomes active next summer, with his departure looking increasingly likely.
The signing of Ronaldo hasn’t altered their desire to splash out that kind of money, with Rangnick’s 4-2-2-2 formation opening the possibility of the two linking up.
That’s something that the younger of the two would likely jump at, previously describing the 36-year-old as his footballing idol.
He said last year "I would love to meet him and tell him that I'm a footballer thanks to him.
"For me, he's always been a role model."
"I think only of myself, to improve my game every day," Haaland continued. "I don't need to talk about Messi and Ronaldo, probably the best players in history. I still need a lot to reach them."
But while others have anointed Haaland as the heir apparent to Ronaldo’s crown, the Portuguese icon, while impressed with his ability, has said he will need to see him do it over a longer period of time before he is fully convinced.
Speaking earlier this year about stars of the future, he explained: “It is hard to choose just one player to say this one will be the best.
“But I think it is exciting to see this new generation of young players, like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, who are coming through.
“Some players can have one or two great seasons, the really great players are the ones that keep doing it season after season, and that is not so easy to do.
“It takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of commitment.”
Should Haaland take the decision to finally join United, he will have the chance to join up with his idol and convince him he is ready to take on the mantle in the process.
