Erling Haaland is already relishing his first Manchester derby and the chance to face the Red Devils.
The Manchester City new boy is looking to take the Premier League by storm after making a switch from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that is worth an initial £51.2m. Haaland is arguably the hottest property in world football and is out to prove himself in England's top flight.
He scored 86 times in 89 games for Dortmund having previously excelled at Red Bull Salzburg. The 21-year-old will now lead City's attack under Pep Guardiola, despite the champions not playing with a recognised No. 9 for the best part of two years. Haaland is tipped to be a huge asset in the final third and is excited to take on those on the red half of Manchester.
When quizzed on who he's most looking forward to playing he replied: "I don't like to say the words but... Manchester United." Haaland's father, Alfe-Inge, played for City and Leeds United during his time as a professional in England. Both teams enjoy fierce rivalries with Manchester United and his father may well have fed that back to his son.
It was also at Old Trafford that Alfe-Inge suffered a horrific injury after being on the receiving end of a Roy Keane tackle. City completed a league double over United last term, winning 2-0 on the road and then 4-1 at the Etihad.
Haaland is one of two new forwards at City with Argentine youngster Julian Alvarez also joining. Gabriel Jesus has left as a result and the Norwegian has been handed the No. 9 shirt - which he declared a "dream come true".
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He said: “I'm delighted to have been presented with the number 9. It's been part of my story over the last two years, both at club level and with the national team and I'm looking forward to continuing that at City. It's a shirt that every striker aspires to and to wear it at one of the best clubs in the world is a dream come true. I can't wait to get started.”
Haaland's release clause allowed him to leave Dortmund this summer. At City, though, he is thinking long-term and has expressed his desire to at least see out his contract. He said when quizzed on his Etihad stay: “At least five years. I’ve signed a five-year deal, so we have to start with that.
“In some ways my progress has been quick but also not, when you see how I’ve been performing. It was a big step going to Molde from my hometown club, it was a big step going to Salzburg, Dortmund and now England. But it’s been going good. I’ve been taking the chances really. I’ve been thinking through a lot of things every time and now I’m just looking forward to it.”
