Speaking to Sky Sports' Pat Davison, striker Erling Haaland reveals what has changed at Manchester City since key players left and new ones arrived this summer; watch Manchester City v Manchester United live on Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
Patrick Davison
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Erling Haaland has admitted Manchester City are “not the same team” any more and the club will have to “adapt a bit” as they enter a new phase under Pep Guardiola.
Five key players from City's treble-winning side – Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson and Manuel Akanji – left the club in the summer, taking with them the experience of winning a total of 25 Premier League titles.
They were replaced by new faces such as Ryan Cherki, Ryan Ait Nouri, Tijani Reynders, James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Pep's coaching staff also saw the departure of three key assistant coaches: Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez and Carlos Vicens, who were replaced by former Jurgen Klopp assistant Pep Lijnders and former City defender Kolo Toure.
Pictured: Erling Haaland scored twice in the 4-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend.
It all means Haaland, who is in his fourth season at the Etihad, knows it is time for him to move on.
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“A lot of important people have left, so new people have to come in and change things and those who have been here for many years, like me, have to take on more responsibility,” Haaland said in an exclusive interview ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
“I need to manage the team, help newcomers integrate into the team as quickly as possible, because it’s not easy to come to a new country and start performing right away.
“We need to help each other. We need to understand that the past is in the past and we are not the same team anymore. We need to use this in a positive way. We have different qualities now and we need to adapt.”
“In the end, the most important thing is to win.”
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City are hoping to get back to winning ways after back-to-back Premier League defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. But questions remain about what this new version of City can offer.
Asked about the difference between City's new line-up and the old teams, Haaland said: “We played in such a way that we won everything and it was amazing and now I think football is changing.”
“Last year you saw PSG and Liverpool just pushing people and you have to adapt. Of course you have to stick to your principles but you have to adapt a little bit to the people you play with.”
Pictured: Erling Haaland is valued at £156million – significantly more than his team-mates.
City have won five of their last eight Premier League games against Manchester United, but failed to win a single game last season for the first time since 2020/21. Moreover, United inflicted 25% of Guardiola’s home league defeats during his time as City manager, a record Haaland knows needs to improve.
“What City are certain of is that they have to win,” he continues. “We have to win and fight for titles. That's what we have to do.”
When it comes to pressure on himself, the Norwegian tends to take things in stride. But that doesn't mean he never gets nervous, especially before important derbies.
Of course I have to play, I'm an artist. People expect a lot from me, so I have to use it in a positive way. It's not easy to lose a lot of games, you know, when you're under pressure.
“It's very much on me, I understand, I completely agree that it should be like that. Again, it's important to find the positives. It's important to try to turn things around and help the team achieve what they want – that's why I'm here.”
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
United will head into the Super Sunday decider ahead of City in the table for the first time in five years.
And while much attention may be focused on opposite ends of the pitch – with new goalkeepers Donnarumma and Manchester United's Senne Lammens both set to make their Premier League debuts – Haaland wants to make sure he does his job properly.
“We have to play. Whatever you say, we have to win at the end of the day. That's what we get paid for. I try to do the best I can and help the team as much as I can.”
“No matter what happens, whether you win every game or lose every game, you still have to try to be free in your thoughts. That's something I still carry with me.”
Watch Manchester City v Manchester United live on Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm.
Sourse: skysports.com
