Haaland doubles in Manchester derby as Guardiola hails 'better than the Treble year'

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City beat local rivals Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday, taking his haul to seven goals in a week and marking his 50th home Premier League goal in as many home matches for the club.

City, who had suffered back-to-back defeats before the derby, relied on their 25-year-old forward to restore momentum at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland netted twice after Phil Foden put City ahead with a header early in the second half, and earlier in the week the Norway striker scored five in his country’s 11-1 victory over Moldova.

Manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland after the match, saying the forward was "incredible" and adding: "I would say better than the Treble year." Guardiola underlined Haaland’s importance to the team and pointed to the long-term commitment the player has shown since signing a contract extension in January that runs until 2034.

Haaland’s influence in the derby extended beyond scoring. He was credited with nine touches inside the opposition box and six in his own, making six clearances—four with his head—behind the midfield line as United flooded crosses into the area. Guardiola briefly summoned Haaland to the sideline during United pressure; the two men spoke amicably before Haaland returned to his forward role and doubled the lead with a composed dinked finish.

Haaland nearly added to his tally moments earlier when he rounded United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and struck the post from close range, but he recovered to convert the rebound and complete the brace. Team-mate Phil Foden described the display as "a complete performance," praising Haaland for his defending, hold-up play and runs in behind.

Former United captain Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, said Haaland "could have scored a few more" and called him one of the best strikers in the world. Former England winger Theo Walcott, speaking to BBC Sport, highlighted Haaland’s instinctive finishing and timing, calling him "an animal" and noting the striker’s presence in big games.

The rate at which Haaland is scoring has prompted comparisons with Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer on 260 goals. According to figures provided after the match, Haaland has 90 Premier League goals and has reached 50 home league goals in 50 City home matches; only Shearer reached the same tally in fewer home appearances, doing so in 47.

Club figures cited that Haaland has played 101 Premier League matches so far. At his current scoring rate, the projection given after the game suggested he would require 191 more matches to reach Shearer’s 260-goal mark—equivalent to just over five additional full Premier League seasons. The calculation was presented as an illustration of the scale of the challenge rather than a prediction.

City’s success in the derby and Haaland’s form will be viewed as timely as the club seeks to maintain momentum in domestic and European competitions. Guardiola reiterated Haaland’s value to the side, saying the striker had never disappointed since joining and had shown commitment by signing a long-term contract. The result keeps City in contention as the season progresses and reinforces Haaland’s status as the focal point of their attack.