Erling Haaland said he had a feeling "something special" would happen in Sunday's derby, and he was proved right after his hat-trick helped Manchester City thrash rivals Manchester United 6-3 at the Etihad.
Haaland, 22, has enjoyed a remarkable start to his City career and his treble against United took the Norwegian striker to 17 goals in all competitions from just 10 competitive matches. In the Premier League, he leads the top-scorer charts on 14, double that of second-placed Harry Kane.
Haaland's hat-trick also meant he became the first player in Premier League history to score three successive trebles at home. He also set up two of City's other three goals, all scored by Phil Foden, meaning he achieved the most goal involvements by a player in a single Premier League Manchester derby.
"Yeah, not bad. We scored six goals, what can you say? It’s amazing, to win at home and score six goals," Haaland told the Manchester City website.
"I felt it a little bit before the game that something special is going to happen and we saw today that some special things happened. On Friday I felt it in the whole training ground. It's these games I want to play in. These are the best games where there's a bit extra."
There were initial suggestions that Haaland might take some time to adapt to manager Pep Guardiola's exacting methods as City adjusted to operating with a focal centre-forward for the first time since Sergio Aguero's departure in 2021.
Those doubts have been emphatically answered, with Haaland slotting seamlessly into the team while providing effective link-up play beyond his prolific goalscoring contributions, and the former Borussia Dortmund striker believes Guardiola's playing style has allowed him to adjust quickly.
"You can feel it all the time, you see the passes we give each other, we always want to go forward and we always want to attack," he said. "This is what I love about this team. In the end it’s amazing."
Manchester derby player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson 7: Very much a spectator in first half as City gave their rivals a masterclass in all areas of the pitch. No chance with wonderful Antony finish or Martial penalty. Saved well from Fred only for Martial to head home rebound. Reuters -
Kyle Walker 7: Miscued low Fernandes ball in 15th minute that ended with half-chance falling to Eriksen but had few other problems against hapless United. Limped off before half-time on what was his 400th league appearance. Getty -
Nathan Ake 8: In for the injured Stones and gave a near faultless performance for City who were without their first-choice centre-halves. PA -
Manuel Akanji 8: Swiss defender oozes confidence, timed his challenges perfectly and not afraid to carry the ball out from the back. Reuters -
Joao Cancelo 8: Slipped in low pass to Silva down wing who then set up opening goal. Switched to right flank when Walker went off injured but looked equally comfortable until giving away late penalty after City had taken foot off peddle. Reuters -
Ilkay Gundogan 8: Clipped free-kick in 18th minute against outside of post with De Gea beaten. The fulcrum in midfield who rarely wastes a pass. Getty -
Kevin De Bruyne 9: Saw shot well saved as City threatened in opening few minutes, dragged another chance well wide and then saw De Gea fingertip shot from edge of box over. Assisted first two Haaland goals as City swamped United in first half. EPA -
Bernardo Silva 8: His drilled low ball into box was finished by Foden to put City in front and set-up another chance for same player who should have scored again soon after. Helped City destroy United with wave after wave of attacks. Getty -
Phil Foden 9.5: Confident first-time side-footed finish to put City into an eighth-minute lead but then blazed another chance over bar. Grabbed his second just before break after perfect Haaland ball across box. Became second City player to score hat-trick in game with goal in 73rd minute. AFP -
Jack Grealish 8: Up for it from first whistle and his run down the left tempted Dalot into early foul and yellow card. Had goal-bound shot blocked after cutting back on to right foot in first half. Reaction after being taken off in second half suggested he wanted a goal. EPA -
Erling Haaland 10: Three home hat-tricks in a row. Rose highest to head City two up from De Bruyne corner. Scored again three minutes later when he slid home to finish superb pass from Belgian teammate. Calm side-footed finish to complete latest treble. Brilliant ball himself for Foden‘s second and supplied same player’s third. Incredible. PA -
SUBS: Sergio Gomez (On for Walker 41’) 7: Early introduction for Spaniard due to Walker’s injury. Excellent ball into box to set-up Haaland’s third. -
Riyad Mahrez (On for Foden 75’) 6: No chance to make impact. Reuters -
Aymeric Laporte (On for Gundogan 75’) 6: Headed corner wide of target, beaten to ball by Martial for United’s second. Getty Julian Alvarez (On for De Bruyne 75’) 6 Could have made it seven but first touch let him down. Cole Palmer (On for Grealish 75’) 6: Part of quadruple substitution that took steam out of City. -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 4: Tested from close range after two minutes. And it never stopped in an unrelenting first half where City became the second team this season to put four past United in opening 45 minutes. Getty -
Diogo Dalot 3: Second minute booking for a challenge on Grealish. Opening goal came from his side. Headed a dangerous cross away soon after. EPA -
Lisandro Martinez 5: Struggled to stem the flow of relentless City attacks. Struggled against Haaland and his ability to find space – as well as his other qualities. Best defender, although the bar was low. Getty -
Raphael Varane 4: Tracked Haaland early on but poor for the goal. Went down injured in first half and City played on as he lay on the floor. De Bruyne’s pass went past him for the third in an awful first half. Off after 40 as United melted. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia 2: Booked for a 23rd minute tackle on Foden in challenging start. Flicked ball over Foden in a lovely move. Tried to block Haaland’s header but ball went over line. The ball for City’s fourth went beyond him. Dreadful and brought off at half time. AFP -
Scott McTominay 3: Double block in a second minute City attack. City were happy to let him get forward, not that he managed to hurt them. Teams have to be quick on transitions against City. United were not. Reuters -
Christian Eriksen 4: Nullified by City – who clearly saw him as United’s main threat. He was no threat in this Manchester derby. The whole team were not brave enough in possession. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes 3: Frustrated – like everyone in red. But one of five attacking players chosen to play away – a gamble which failed badly. His link up with those behind him was non existent and you could say the same for the whole team. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 2: Opening goal started from him losing possession. Bought to make a difference to United – like his former teammate Haaland was for City. Sancho made none here. Getty -
Antony 4: Barely involved as City dominated early on. Stunning goal – the best of the match – with a curling shot from distance. Skewed a shot wide with 20 minutes to go. EPA -
Marcus Rashford 2: Nothing in the first half. Came off before the hour. EPA -
SUBS: Victor Lindelof (On for Varane 40’) 4: The damage had long been done – and the manager was at fault for his tactics as much as any player. Reuters -
Luke Shaw (On for Malacia 46’) 5: Played Foden onside for City’s sixth. Played well for England midweek and he improved United when he came on. AP -
Casemiro (On for McTominay 59’) 5: Might have been better to start him alongside McTominay. United were better with him, but what achievement is playing well when the team are 6-1 down. Needs to get off the bench, in the team and be the world class influence he can be. Getty -
Anthony Martial (On for Rashford 59’) 8: Scored twice, the first a brave header, the second a cool penalty. What more could he have done? The only positive thing about the day was that United scored three times. PA -
Fred (On for Sancho 70’) 6: His shot was saved by Ederson which resulted in United’s second. Showed a spirit that had been lacking. AP
Haaland's start at City has caught the attention of the football world but Guardiola is not at all surprised by the striker's impact.
“I say it many times and I will say again - what Erling is doing he did in Norway, Austria and Germany,” he said. “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.
“What I like 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.”
