Guardiola hails Man City goal machine Haaland: At his age, no one can compete with him

Norwegian striker looks to continue remarkable start to season against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday

Phil Foden, right, and Erling Haaland both scored hat-tricks in Manchester City's 6-3 Premier League win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Reuters

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores their fifth goal and completes his hat-trick. Reuters

Erling Haaland celebrates scoring City's second goal. Getty

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. EPA

Erling Haaland celebrates scoring Manchester City's third goal - and his second. PA

Erling Haaland scores City's third goal. Getty

City's Erling Haaland celebrates after completing his hat-trick. AP

Erling Haaland heads home City's second goal. Getty

Phil Foden celebrates after giving Manchester City an early lead. Getty

Phil Foden scores City's sixth goal and completes his hat-trick. Reuters

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Getty

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne sees an early chance saved by David de Gea. PA

Anthony Martial heads home Manchester United's second goal. Getty

City's Erling Haaland after a missed chance. Reuters

Phil Foden puts City 1-0 up. PA

Antony after pulling one back for Manchester United. Getty

Phil Foden scores City's fourth goal. PA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters

Phil Foden celebrates scoring his second and City's fourth. Getty

Anthony Martial scores United's third goal from the penalty spot. Reuters.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that Erling Haaland's prolific goal record at his age are unmatched by any other player.

The 22-year-old striker has scored 17 goals in 10 competitive games for City since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, where he struck 86 times in 89 matches.

Haaland ’s hat-trick against Manchester United on Sunday was his third in successive Premier League home games, he is averaging a goal every 54 minutes, has had 42 shots and has also laid on three assists – with two of those also coming in the 6-3 derby rout.

On Wednesday he will hope to add further to his record of 26 career Champions League goals from 21 matches as City host FC Copenhagen.

“At his age, no one can compete with him,” said Guardiola. “The numbers speak for themselves and inside, in the locker room, and on the pitch we see things that are not in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here.”

Another 22-year-old, Phil Foden, also scored a hat-trick as City put local rivals United to the sword and the City academy player is reportedly close to signing a new contract to tie his future to the club.

“Due to his performance during these years, of course we want him to stay,” said Guardiola.

“He's an exceptional player, he grew up a lot. Already he is many years with us, he's reliable in terms of his physical condition, he's so intense in everything, every three days he is able play.

Man City 6 Man United 3: player ratings

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

“Both [Haaland and Foden], they know they can do better and hopefully they can do it.”

One player yet to sparkle this term is Riyad Mahrez, who was one of the stars of last season’s title win and run to the Champions League semi-finals. The Algeria international has started just four times and has not scored.

Guardiola said: “I know perfectly Riyad, how important [he is]. We need him to come back to his best – his best in terms of personality, ability, quality, his love for this game and how he enjoys playing.

“Step by step he will come back. Now he’s not playing much but he has to come back in better physical condition and then the rest will come along. As a player I cannot teach him anything, he’s too good.”

City already have a three-point lead in Group G after winning their opening two matches against Sevilla and Dortmund.

Man City 2 Dortmund 1: player ratings

MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson 7 – Had little to do apart from a routine save from a curling Ozcan in the first half. The Brazilian’s distribution helped drive his side forward and catch Dortmund on the break. AP

Manuel Akanji 6 – Another solid performance for the new signing, against his former side, although he did lose sight of Bellingham in the build-up to the opening goal. AP

Nathan Ake 7 – A faultless display at the back by the Dutchman. AFP

John Stones 8 - Popped up in some dangerous areas outside the opposition box, and his strike from range beat Meyer to equalise with City’s first shot on target. EPA

Joao Cancelo 8 – Produced some quality deliveries into the box, including an outstanding assist with the outside of his foot for the second goal. PA

Rodri 5 – Overran by Bellingham in the middle of the park after the break and picked up a card after clattering into the teenager. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne 7 – The Belgian was full of running and put in a serious shift for his side. Produced a superb ball to find Haaland after 66 minutes, but the Norwegian went wide from a tight angle. Getty

Ilkay Gundogan 6 – Worked hard in midfield but lacked the required creative quality in the final third and was replaced by Silva. PA

Riyad Mahrez 5 – The winger looked off the pace and could not make an impact on the game before being replaced by Alvarez after 58 minutes. Reuters

Jack Grealish 5 – Often wasteful in a disappointing performance. Could not make the most of the space out wide as his movement was too predictable, and every time the Englishman cut inside, the attempted shot was blocked. Substituted for Foden just before the hour mark. EPA

Erling Haaland 8 – Can be faulted alongside Akanji for losing Bellingham for the opening goal. The in-form striker hit the outside of the post at a tight angle with his first sight of goal. But on 84 minutes, the Norwegian produced a stunning acrobatic finish to complete the comeback against his former club. AP

SUBS: Julian Alvarez (Mahrez 58’) 6 – A lively cameo and tried to make things happen after coming on for Mahrez. EPA

Bernardo Silva (Gundogan 58’) 7 – A positive addition in the second half and added much-needed creativity after replacing Gundogan. Getty

Phil Foden (Grealish, 58) 7 – Wasted no time attacking the Dortmund box after his introduction. Provided a great ball to Haaland after 72 minutes, but Hummels intervened to deny the Englishman an assist. EPA

Kalvin Phillips (Haaland 90’) – N/R. Thrown on for the last few minutes as City saw out the game. Getty

BORUSSIA DORTMUND PLAYER RATINGS: Alexander Meyer 4 – Made a mess of City’s first shot on target, as he appeared to pull away from Stones’ long-range effort. The goalkeeper was then beaten at his near post by Haaland for the second goal. Reuters

Raphael Guerreiro 6 – Stood up well against Mahrez in the first half, but the full-back struggled to get forward. Getty

Mats Hummels 7 – Strong defensive display and made a crucial intervention to deny Haaland a tap-in after 72 minutes. PA

Niklas Sule 8 – A dogged performance at the back, and the German managed to keep Haaland quiet until the closing 10 minutes. Getty

Thomas Meunier 5 – Looked uncomfortable in the final half an hour following the introduction of a direct and energetic Foden. Getty

Salih Ozcan 7– Had a good game midfield and provided the best chance of the first half, as his curling shot was matched by Ederson after 18 minutes. AP

Emre Can 6 – Worked hard in the middle of the park. AP

Jude Bellingham 8 – A standout performer, providing several line-breaking passes before scoring the opening goal of the match. The 19-year-old was alert to Reus’ cross and nodded the ball past Ederson from close-range. AP

Marco Reus 8 – Looked dangerous on the counterattack and could have scored after the break. The German beat Akanji emphatically but could not wrap the ball into Ederson’s net from a difficult angle. Provided the assist for the first goal. EPA

Anthony Modeste 5 – An uneventful performance and the Frenchman was replaced by Schlotterbeck after 78 minutes. Getty

Giovanni Reyna 5 – Plenty of energy in the first half but struggled to impact the game and was replaced by Malen for the final 30 minutes. AFP

SUBS: Donyell Malen (Reyna 61’) 6 – Dealt well in his defensive duties after coming on for Reyna just after an hour had been played. Getty

Nico Schlotterbeck (Modeste, 78) – N/A. Replaced the ineffective Modeste but didn’t have much of an impact himself. Reuters

Youssoufa Moukoko (Ozcan 88’) – N/A. The exciting youngster and little time to impact the game. AP

Karim Adeyemi (Reus 88’) – N/A. PA

They will now hope to take a firm stride to the last 16 in their back-to-back matches against the Danish champions.

Guardiola wants to put the elation of the weekend aside to focus on the next task. He said: “You have to pay attention. A mistake and now you don’t have time to recover. We know how important our home games are.

“I spent last night and this morning watching Copenhagen. They are really good, well organised and you have to be careful.

“You have to come back to reality and put our effort in to win an important game. If we are able to make nine points from three games we’d be so close to the next stage.”

Right-back Kyle Walker looks set to miss out after being forced off against United while midfielder Rodri’s calf problem will be assessed.