Down to Erling Haaland’s left, his father Alfie stood among the large crowd that had been happy to swelter outside the Etihad Stadium for a view of Manchester City’s new centre-forward. Straight ahead he could see a couple of Norway flags and, dotted around, any number of placards optimistically requesting a signed shirt.
Public unveilings are a rarity in the Premier League but everybody could make capital from this one: City were able to parade the world’s most coveted striker and a beaming Haaland, more comfortable swaying to the assembly’s chants and songs than answering the MC’s questions in much depth, could absorb an enthusiastic welcome to his boyhood club.
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