Fans of opposition clubs, including Manchester United, have long believed that when Manchester City finally signed the No.9 they have lacked this season, it would be over for every other team and seems like finally, that day of judgement has come.
MEN Sport have reported that City are in 'pole position' to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and are ready to meet his £63m release clause but remain 'cautious' about their chances of landing the superstar with a number of other clubs circling.
City and Liverpool are running away with the title race this season but with the addition of one of the biggest strikers in Europe to their ranks, it already seems wrapped up for United's noisy neighbours next season.
But could Haaland being removed from the equation actually prove to be a blessing in disguise for United next season?
Some United supporters have claimed that City signing Haaland would give the club a free run at Harry Kane but if every football fan has agreed next season and potentially the season after are City's to run away with, why would the club sign yet another striker over the age of 30?
Kane is obviously talented but it seems his window for a big move has closed and United are looking at a younger profile of striker, as previously reported by MEN Sport and it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that Haaland would sit top of that list given his reputation however unlikely it may have seemed but they must now move on to other targets.
If nothing else, the failure to land Haaland will actually give United some breathing space. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, there has been an expectation for every new manager to walk through the door and compete for trophies and the Premier League title.
As the years have gone by, this way of thinking has proven to be an unrealistic pressure for the club. That won't stop some fans' demands but the past 12 months have proven that a reset is needed for United to return to their former glories.
Whichever manager comes through the door, be it Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag, they will need time to build a squad in their image and train those players with their methods. As Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have both shown, this doesn't happen overnight.
The lack of pressure will also reduce the amount of pressure behind the scenes as United look to create a new footballing identity and culture under Richard Arnold, to support either Pochettino or Ten Hag.
If the new United boss can get their hands on some elusive silverware, it will help stave off any early critics if a title bid is not forthcoming. United obviously have a lot of work to do if they are to finish in the top four and secure Champions League football this season but there cannot be an expectation that, even if they do, they will become a title-chasing side next season amid another rebuild.
With Guardiola's contract expiring in 2023 and Klopp's the year after, United have a chance to take advantage if they are able to put the building blocks in place now to prepare and grow as a team. And that 'if' is a big one. It will require a complete rethink and a different strategy to those that have failed miserably on Ed Woodward's watch.
