Erling Haaland: Manchester City striker subject of loan bid from non-league Ashton United

There are a number of problems to top teams this season because of the upcoming winter World Cup.

Now that the tournament is here, clubs have to keep their players fit for the return of top-flight football on December 26th.

After a while, even that might get a bit boring, since they can get a head start on the Christmas shopping.

It's time for the Northern premier league side.

The non-league club made a tongue in cheek loan bid for Erling Haaland.

After Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup, City's local rivals have asked if they could loan Haaland to them for a fortnight.

The club's Christmas do in Newcastle could help sway the Norwegian's mind, according to the boss.

"We're in the hunt for a goal scorer, so we thought why not," Michael said.

It's been hard for any of the teams in our league to get any traction so I'm sure slotting the big man in would only help. I would be hoping for at least six goals a half from him.

My friend is the kitman at City and I have been asking him who else we could take from them.

"I think we'd have four or five games while he'd be here, and he could even come on our Christmas do inNewcastle," he said.

England's 1966 hat-trick hero and Three Lions team-mate Jimmy Armfield was born in the town, which is just six miles from City's stadium.

The transfer window is still open in non-league so, theoretically speaking, City could let him go to the Hurst Cross side in time for next week's game against Lancaster City.

They haven't heard a response from the premier league champion. Don't be so sure about that one guy.

Haaland is going to take a break in Spain with his family and then return to training with City, who are second in the premier league.

Maybe he could be swayed into spending a month with someone else.

Is he going to the marine? Is it possible that he is going to South Shields? Is it possible that Martin Odegard is going to Barnet?

It's worth asking but probably not.