Cristiano Ronaldo has already proven in the opening weeks of Ralf Rangnick's Manchester United reign that he will play a key role for the German during his time in charge at Old Trafford.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has emerged, unsurprisingly, as Rangnick's main man since he took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, starting in each of the German's opening Premier League outings.
Despite the 63-year-old sending a clear message with his team selections, suggesting that Ronaldo will continue to be central to United's success, the interim boss is keen on bringing Borussia Dortmund's Norwegian talisman to United to strengthen the club's attacking options.
Manchester Evening News understands that Rangnick is pushing to sign Haaland and has spoken to the 21-year-old's father, Alf-Inge, about the possibility of his son signing for United next year.
While United's interest in a goal machine like Haaland is entirely understandable, Rangnick's early work since his arrival at United appears to suggest Ronaldo will play an integral role in not just the short term, but the medium-term too.
The Portuguese penned a two-year deal with the option of extending for a further year when he rejoined his former club last summer and the likelihood of him stepping aside for Haaland if any summer move came to fruition looks as if it will be particularly complex.
The German boss' philosophies are well-documented now and fans now have a clearer understanding of what his tactics entail; calculated pressing, winning the ball high up the pitch and producing high-quality product offensively and defensively via turnovers.
With this in mind, it is unlikely that Rangnick will be able to find a system that optimises the qualities of both Ronaldo and Haaland, two players who are generally (and perhaps unfairly) considered 'cherry on the icing' types who will have a greater impact in goalscoring terms than defending from the front. But the fact both sit outside their respective league's top 180 for the number of presses so far this season illustrates the point.
If United were to sign Haaland then either he or Ronaldo would be at risk of either dropping from the starting XI for stylistic reasons, or find themselves in a role that does not necessarily suit their skillset. It's the classic Fantasy Football scenario of a front pairing of Haaland and Ronaldo sounding great in theory but not necessarily delivering on Rangnick's demands in practice.
As MEN Sport previously reported, Rangnick is a driving force behind any deal and so his plan for any signing is intriguing. Ronaldo's contractual situation could mean United look to delay funding any move for Haaland but that comes with its own complications of competing interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid. It is a conundrum that is not easily solved but one which United must get right when it comes to squad building.
With the German's rumoured interest in lower-profile utility players such as Amadou Haidara to bolster United's depth, the pursuit for Haaland will also test what the club's priority is when it comes to recruitment next summer, if not before.
Welcoming Haaland to Old Trafford would become the club's most exciting signing since, well, Ronaldo in the summer which feels entirely the problem. And one that comes with no easy answers.
Who would you prefer to be United's 'main man' next season - Haaland or Ronaldo? Follow our United On My Mind writer Jake Stokes and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.