Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in Manchester City\u2019s massive 6-3 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Etihad boss Pep Guardiola made a statement that Erling Haaland ‘always looks starving’ after the Norweigan’s hat-trick against bitter rivals United on Sunday with trebles from the 22-year-old and Phil Foden giving the reigning Premier League champions all three points. This means they’re now just a point behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.<\/p>\n
Both Haaland and Foden were virtually unstoppable as City blitzed United, while the final scoreline actually camouflaged a hammering for the Red Devils that could easily have been much more brutal.<\/p>\n
Post-match Guardiola lavished praise on the Norway international while also expressing a belief the 22-year-old \u2018always looks starving\u2019.<\/p>\n
“It is. The numbers speak for himself. He has done this before here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not our way. Always we try to help him in our environment. We have this incredible sense that he always looks starving and is so competitive. The<\/p>\n
“He sees 10 players running without the ball with effort for each other so he wants to do it. They visualise it, they see it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s why we have success in the last few years. Behind it is effort and desire to do it.”<\/p>\n
Guardiola also lauded Foden, saying: “His desire, how he runs, is the main thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe deserves to play every time and then he has quality. He is a young player and it is a reality. He deserves everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Guardiola admitted he wasn\u2019t impressed on his side\u2019s overall performance as City conceded three goals in the second half.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201dIt was really good [in the first half]. We scored four goals and could have scored more.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter half-time it was more difficult. It was a great victory, a great game, everyone was happy in the stadium and we enjoy it against our rivals. It was a good afternoon for us.<\/p>\n
“In general it was really good how aggressive we were but of course when they have Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen they have quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were aware of the spaces and our players up front made the difference in the first half.<\/p>\n
“We can win or lose but there are many things we can do better. Some players were not good today so they have to improve.<\/p>\n
“Perfection doesn’t exist, it’s impossible. But we must try to look there. We did good, we can do better, many, many players had sloppy passes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not good. We have to be more consistent. In some areas we were still not good.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Erik ten Hag, the Dutchman was fuming while lamenting his side\u2019s \u2018lack of fight\u2019 as they slumped to another disappointing defeat to their fierce rivals.<\/p>\n
“It’s quite simple, it’s a lack of belief,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you don’t believe on the pitch then you can’t win games, that is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get undisciplined at following rules and you get hammered, that’s happened today.<\/p>\n
“For me it was a surprise. We were not on the front foot, we were not brave on the ball and there were spaces to play but we were not brave enough.<\/p>\n
“All the credit to City, but it’s nothing to do with City, our performance was not good.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt had to do with the belief as individuals and as team.<\/p>\n
“From the first minute I felt it and at half-time we changed things and we changed attitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw a different Manchester United after half-time and we scored goals, we created some more. On the ball we were more brave, we came in the opponent’s half and we scored three goals.<\/p>\n
“In this moment I can’t think about positives. We let our fans down, we let ourselves down and we’re hugely disappointed.”<\/p>\n
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