MY ACCOUNT
Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City’s derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: “what he is doing, I didn’t teach him”.
Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City’s 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.
The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.
His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.
Guardiola refused to take credit for the striker’s form after the win, saying: “I said it many times and I will say again – what Erling is doing, he did in Norway, Austria and Germany.
“The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing, I didn’t teach him.
“He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that.”
As well as laying on two goals for Foden, Haaland created a game-high four chances on Sunday, and Guardiola was delighted by the quality of his link-up play.
“I have had incredible centre-forwards in my career,” Guardiola continued. “What I liked was in the last period of the game, he was involved. I want him to be involved.
“He became a player to score goals, but I want him in contact with the ball. I like him being part of those situations.
“But of course, he has to put the ball in the net, and he is a fantastic striker.”
Haaland has started all 11 of City’s competitive games this term, and Guardiola plans to offer him the opportunity to rest at some point.
“He will take a break. There will be games he is not going to play,” he said.
“We are lucky, last season he could not play many games in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.
“They are so important – with their hands, they allow players to play.”
