Erling Haaland says interest from Manchester United made him “listen” in 2019 before Manchester City gave him the “confidence to come in and just smash everything” three years later.
Two-time Premier League top scorer Haaland has spoken about comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and a possible future emulating the Inter Miami captain and David Beckham in the MLS.
The 25-year-old has also discussed the long-awaited outcome of City’s hearing into 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches, which the club strongly deny.
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Man United: ‘Of course you listen’
Haaland said he was surprised when then-Molde manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked him for a game against Norwegian leaders Brann in July 2018 after the prospect “didn’t do anything good” in training that week.
“It’s a life-changing moment,” recalled Haaland, who scored four goals in the first 21 minutes. “From there, it was ‘keep going’ and attacking whatever it is to attack.”
Speaking to Time while walking on a beach in Florida during City’s Club World Cup campaign in June, Haaland confessed that he was homesick while playing for Salzburg in 2019 and was open to overtures from Solskjaer, who had since become United manager.
“You miss speaking Norwegian, you miss your family, you miss your friends. The trainer would just scream to me in German, and I was like, ‘I don’t understand you.’
“I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ When a coach you had before wants you, of course you listen.”
Haaland: Man City ‘so wanted’ striker
Haaland established himself as one of the world’s most prolific strikers during his time at Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund before City manager Pep Guardiola activated his £51.2 million release clause with the German club.
“I felt this was the last missing piece in the puzzle,” Haaland said. “Even though they did so well, I still felt I was so wanted here.
“And this also gave me kind of a boost and a confidence to come in and just smash everything.”
As well as winning the Premier League twice and the 2022/23 Champions League and FA Cup, Haaland suited his teammates before he had started his ascent to becoming the most feared forward in the English top flight, defender Nathan Ake said.
“We have an interesting kind of banter at the training ground, where we just hammer each other,” explained Ake. “He fitted in with that straight away.”
Haaland on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient Messi and five-time winner Ronaldo remain the most high-profile and revered forwards of modern times, although the likes of Haaland and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe are poised to spend years edging closer to the veterans’ formidable records.
“I’m one of them,” Haaland replied when he was asked whether he is the world’s best player. “Their records – no-one is ever going to take them. Not even me.”
Messi joined Inter Miami at the age of 36 in 2023 and Haaland did not dismiss a suggestion that he could follow the Argentina captain and other iconic players who have played in the MLS, including ex-England captain and Miami co-owner David Beckham.
“You never know what the future is going to bring,” speculated Haaland. “What Messi is doing now is incredible. Also what Beckham did – it’s amazing.”
Man City charges: Haaland backs club
Reports this week have suggested that the outcome of City’s financial case may not materialise until October, with the club insisting on its innocence throughout and awaiting the ruling of an independent commission.
“I spoke with the bosses and, in the end, I believe them,” said Haaland, who signed a contract extension until 2034 in January.
“It’s such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn’t really involved in it. So I think the club knows what they’re doing. They will sort it out.”
‘Stay humble’: Haaland calls phrase ‘important’
Haaland says he is “older and more mature” than the days when he would offer reporters antagonistically short answers.
“You would ask, ‘How was the weather today?’ I would answer, ‘It’s good,’” he reasoned on those conversations.
“You get what you ask for. That was my whole point of all of this. You ask stupid questions, you will get a stupid answer back.”
Rival fans taunted Haaland by telling him to “stay humble” after he was caught on camera delivering the phrase to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta last season.
“I think it’s an important phrase which a lot of people should use, including myself,” said Haaland. “It’s one of the most important things, as individuals, to do.”
Erling Haaland stats
After finishing as the leading Premier League marksman with 36 goals in 2022/23 and 27 in 2023/24, Haaland’s total of 22 in 2024/25 was seven behind Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah, of Liverpool, and one behind runner-up Alexander Isak, of Newcastle.
He missed a total of seven matches with a foot injury but was still hugely prolific for a team defending the league title who surprisingly underperformed for much of the campaign, finishing without a trophy and in fourth place.
Haaland contributed 34 goals and five assists in 48 matches in all competitions, scorng eight goals in nine Champions League games.
When does Man City’s 2025/26 Premier League season start?
The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 16 2025, with City visiting Wolves that day at 17:30 BST (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT).
The game is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Ultra and Main Event.
The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.
