APPARENTLY, Erling Haaland hasn't been in great form this season.
It's indisputable that the Norwegian has missed some excellent chances for Manchester City, but he picked the perfect moment to remind the rest of the Premier League that his goals could yet be the difference again.
The 23-year-old now has 13 goals in all competitions this season, 11 of which have come in 10 Premier League matches. He really is untouchable.
For the first quarter of this derby he had hardly been involved, his closest moment coming when Andre Onana clawed the ball away from the striker's feet as he waited for a tap-in. But we know by now that Haaland doesn't need to be touching the ball every few minutes to exert his authority on the game.
His penalty was unerring and he should have had another before the break, attacking a Bernardo Silva cross with venom only for Onana to spring across and make a brilliant save. United were forewarned, but not forearmed.
When City put together a slick move early in the second half, the same player stood up the same back-post cross. This time there was nobody near Haaland, who had a simple task to head the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Haaland's first goal at Old Trafford had been greeted with chants of 'Keano, Keano' from the Stretford End. By the time the second went in even the United fans were beaten.
This story is from the October 30, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the October 30, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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