Erling Haaland, teenage son of Leeds star Alf-Inge, scores hat-trick for Salzburg and once got NINE goals in one match at U20 World Cup – The Sun

HISTORY remembers the Haaland name with a wince.

That eye-watering tackle from Roy Keane on Manchester City’s Alf-Inge Haaland in 2001 saw the surname go down in legend, linked with pity and pain. But that is quickly changing.

For Alf-Inge’s son, Erling Haaland, is rising to prominence as one of Europe’s most exciting young prospects.

The Salzburg strker scored a spectacular first-half hat-trick on his Champions League debut against Genk.

Haaland was the destroyer as Salzburg beat their Group E rivals 6-2 in the first round of matches.

His opener was a right-foot shot before adding the second with his left.

He completed his hat-trick with a close-range finish from a low cross.

It was the Norwegian's third treble of a season, giving him an incredible 17 goals in nine appearances for his Austrian side.

And that's just a taste.

The hulking great teen hit the headlines recently when he struck NINE goals in one game at the Under-20 World Cup for Norway.

It came in May when Norway pummelled Honduras 12-0 with Haaland's treble hat-trick seeing the nation go out on a high as they finished third in the group and were eliminated.

At 19 years old, he may still be far from the finished product — yet his appearance suggests he is already there.

A giant of a man at 6ft 3in, the Yorkshire-born striker has already bulked-up and uses his size to his advantage, bullying and bashing his way past defenders.

HAL OF FAME

But to think of Haaland as a traditional bulldozer would be a mistake.

He possesses a classy touch and clinical finish, a style that has seen Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compare him to a current Old Trafford favourite.

Solskjaer said: "He will be at the top of the game for sure. He reminds me of Romelu Lukaku."

At the same age, Lukaku made the move to the Premier League when he joined Chelsea. Haaland could be given a similar opportunity soon.

Manchester United have sent scouts to watch the youngster play for Molde on more than one occasion, and they're impressed at what they saw.

The last visit saw Haaland score every goal in a 4-0 win.

The prospect of Haaland ending up on the red side of Manchester may be uncomfortable for his dad who spent three years at City.

Up to now, the youngster has tread a similar path.

Haaland began his career in the same place as Alf-Inge, with Norwegian side Bryne FK who play in the nation's second tier.

SCORING FOR FUN

Yet his talent was quickly recognised and soon he was on his way to three-time Norwegian Premier League champions Molde FK.

Last summer, Haaland signed for Red Bull Salzburg and joined up with team-mates in January this year.

He has played just 83 minutes in the Austrian league and already scored a debut goal.

If this prolific form continues, Haaland could transform from Norwegian boy wonder to a Premier League man mountain.

The memory of Alf-Inge's injury could become little more than a footnote in his son's career.

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