Club submit 28-day loan approach to Manchester City for Erling Haaland

Aston United have confirmed in an official club statement that they have submitted a 28-day loan approach to Manchester City for striker Erling Haaland.

The Premier League season has been put on hold for the next few weeks following the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

A total of sixteen Manchester City first-team players have jetted off to represent their respective countries in the world's greatest football tournament.

However, that list of players excludes star striker Erling Haaland.

The Manchester City striker failed to qualify for the tournament with Norway, and will instead partake in preparations for an international friendly.

As such, one club have made a bold approach to secure the services of the former Borussia Dortmund striker on a temporary basis to retain his match sharpness before the return of competitive action at Manchester City against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

That team is Ashton United.

An official statement from the National League North club side released on Monday read:

"Ashton United can confirm that the club has submitted a 28-day loan approach for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland."

The statement continued, "With the current Premier League champions not in action until late December due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, The Robins have reached out to our neighbours at the Etihad in order to keep Haaland’s match fitness with him not being involved in Qatar."

The club statement also included words from Ashton United manager Michael Clegg, who spoke on the matter after a 2-0 defeat to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon.

Clegg said on the approach for Erling Haaland, “It just makes sense.

“City aren’t playing, and we want to help by keeping Erling fit, it makes more sense than him playing golf for six weeks.

He continued, “We think he will be a great fit for us, and would slot in with our squad dynamic really well.”

At present, it is confirmed that Manchester City are yet to provide a response on the approach.

Erling Haaland is expected to return to Manchester City training in early December.

Pep Guardiola and the remainder of his first-team players are then expected to undergo a warm weather training camp in Abu Dhabi, which will also involve a meeting with the club's owner Sheikh Mansour.