As the anticipation builds for this weekend’s Manchester derby, all eyes are on Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker didn’t just show up—he made a statement.
Playing for Norway during the international break, Haaland scored five goals in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova, giving City fans plenty of reason to get excited ahead of their clash with United.
A Crucial Match for Both Sides
Saturday’s derby sees Pep Guardiola’s City host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, and both teams are desperate to pick up form after sluggish starts.
United have managed four points from three games, while City are surprisingly behind with just three points after wins over Wolves were followed by losses to Tottenham and Brighton.
Given these rocky beginnings, this derby carries extra weight, with fans eager to see which side can seize momentum.
International performances like Haaland’s have provided a glimpse of what could be in store.
Haaland’s Form Provides a Boost
Haaland already has three Premier League goals this season, but his exploits for Norway will give him added confidence.
Not only did he score five times, he also contributed two assists in a dominating performance, helping his national side surge to a record-breaking 11-1 victory.
This kind of form is exactly what City will need as they look to steady their campaign and chase the Premier League title.
Odegaard’s Role in Norway’s Dominance
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard also impressed, scoring once and providing two assists in the rout.
Notably, he set up Haaland’s second and third goals, continuing the productive partnership the duo has developed at international level.
Despite Odegaard’s contributions, the headlines belonged to Haaland, whose first-half hat-trick set the tone with Norway leading 5-0 by the break.
Haaland added two more goals in the second half, scoring Norway’s sixth and tenth, while a 78th-minute own goal by Leo Ostigard was the only minor blemish on an otherwise flawless team performance.
United’s Defensive Challenges
Manchester United, on the other hand, have struggled defensively this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
After a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, they drew 1-1 with Fulham and narrowly beat Burnley 3-2 before the international break.
Amorim is expected to stick with a back three to contain Haaland, likely deploying Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, and Luke Shaw as his central defenders.
Stopping the City striker will be a key focus if United hope to take points at the Etihad.
Haaland Laughs Off Freak Bus Accident
Off the pitch, Haaland made headlines for a less conventional reason.
The striker needed three stitches after being hit in the face by the trunk door of Norway’s team bus during a bizarre accident at their Oslo hotel.
Instead of letting it derail him, Haaland posted a playful photo on Monday, showing his taped-up swollen lip with a thumbs-up emoji and the caption “Good morning.”
On Snapchat, he joked about the incident, writing, “Just got banged out by a bus door. 3 stitches.”
His good humor suggests he’ll step into the derby ready to perform, with fans hoping his form continues to shine for City.