‘Incredible’ Erling Haaland ‘perfect fit’ at Manchester City: Ilkay Gundogan
LONDON: Manchester City could be fuming after their surprise exit from the Carabao Cup this week, with the team missing a semi-final date with Newcastle following their 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
But they have every chance to lift the mood in the 189th derby against neighbors Manchester United on Saturday.
When the two sides last met at the Etihad in October, a 6–3 scoreline saw City emerge decisive winners, with only two late Anthony Martial goals saving United from further embarrassment.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both claimed hat-tricks – only the third time that two players from the same team each scored three goals in a Premier League match.
For striker Haaland, it was a historic third treble in consecutive home games after three against both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland has certainly enjoyed his first season in English football and has been the smiling killer with 27 goals so far.
The Norwegian forward, 22, is a combination of terrifying and fun, according to City captain Ilkay Gundogan.
“Erling is a great guy, on and off the pitch – very determined but also a great character,” said the Germany international, who joined Pep Guardiola’s side from Dortmund in 2016.
“He’s a perfect fit – no integration time, no problems after he’s arrived. From day one, Erling was there and a part of everything. The way he talks to everyone, he’s a perfect fit.” He tells some good jokes, likes to laugh and joke. He’s funny, well-liked with his teammates and staff.
“With the group we have, it’s pretty easy for anyone to join.”
United were among the clubs pursuing the signing of Leeds-born Haaland last year, but he chose City, where his father Alfie also played.
“Erling could have gone anywhere, but he chose to come here,” Gundogan told Arab News exclusively.
“A lot of the reasons were probably related to the way we play, the way we approach the game, the manager and the players we have.
“It makes it tempting for every footballer in Europe to have the chance to one day play for Manchester City. It shows how much the club has grown over the years.
City have risen to such an extent that they have now deposed United as the side setting the highest standards.
Where United once ruled English football under Sir Alex Ferguson – winning 13 Premier League titles before the legendary manager retired in 2013 – it is now Guardiola’s men who are in charge.
City are bidding for a third successive championship and are now second – five points behind Arsenal and four behind Erik ten Haag’s United.
After a disappointing defeat at Southampton, Gundogan urged his side to answer a “wake-up call” and show they still had the same hunger and desire for respectability as before.
“The last few years were special,” Gundogan, 32, said. “The club embarked on a major project when the owners in Abu Dhabi took over and want to achieve what we have achieved over the past few years.
“So I think the club is in a very good position. The club is led by fantastic people and has a lot of potential, and there is a lot more to come.
“The way we play, we are up there, yes, with the great clubs. But I don’t think so in terms of what we’ve achieved, not so far.
“I think the Champions League needs to come at one point for the club to get one last lift at international level – that’s the only piece missing so far. Sooner or later I believe it will happen.”
After losing the final to Chelsea in 2021 and then the semi-finals to Real Madrid last season, Haaland was seen as the man to help City’s Champions League dream come true.
And Gundogan agrees.
“I’m pretty sure he was brought in to make a difference,” said the midfielder.
“We probably missed someone like him for a few years, especially when Sergio Aguero was out for a while. We had to adapt. I have played false nines in a few matches and having someone like him is a different thing.
“Erling is a finisher in the box. His presence gives you an idea of where the danger might be and he’s already there. He just has the guts to score.
“If he continues like this, he is going to be there very soon to compete for the Ballon d’Ors or whatever.
“Talking about Erling, I don’t know if he needs to get better to get there. His main job as a striker is to score goals and he does that – the way he’s started here is unbelievable.” Is.
“I don’t doubt that Erling will stay the same and doesn’t want to copy anyone or follow someone else’s path – I think he wants to forge his own path with his own personality.
“I don’t think there needs to be much change other than what people expect from him. When people talk about strikers it’s first and foremost scoring goals and getting numbers. Already they (Erling’s numbers) are incredible And I think they will probably stay the same.
“We think he can make a difference in these big games and in the Champions League, which is certainly a hope again this season that we can win it.”
Few games are bigger than the Manchester derby and bragging rights as well as vital Premier League points will be at stake when United play host at Old Trafford, and City look to avoid a fourth defeat in a row.