Erling Haaland says he is really happy at Manchester City but admitted “you never know what the future brings”.
The Norwegian joined City in summer 2022 and enjoyed a glittering first season, winning the treble and scoring 52 goals. Haaland is contracted until 2027 and is admired by Real Madrid, and the 23-year-old was asked if he sees himself at City long term.
He said: “I’m really happy, especially with the people that I’m surrounded with; the manager, the directors, the board, they are a group of amazing people and I’m really happy, I have to say. If I say this now it’s probably gonna be a massive headline: tomorrow you never know what the future brings, but I’m happy. You can write this but you also have to write everything I said before. I’m happy.”
Haaland brushed aside any notion he is thinking about extending his contract. “My focus mainly now is on the pitch,” he said. “There’s a lot of games: two days ago was the Manchester derby, now Champions League, Sunday is Liverpool. I think I should focus on that. I don’t think I should focus on anything else at the moment.”
Haaland has scored 80 goals in 84 City appearances, including 28 this season. Yet the No 9 cited missing an easy close-range chance against United as an example of how he can improve.
“People say I’m good at scoring goals but I missed the biggest chance in the world ever two days ago,” Haaland said. “I can also become better at that [finishing].”
His success is down to working on being mentally strong. “It’s been a challenge for me when I was young – I remember I would start crying if we lost and I missed a lot of chances. I’ve been working on it a lot and it’s been a challenge.”
City host Copenhagen on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 second leg, holding a 3-1 advantage. Haaland nearly joined the Danish club at 16.
“A couple of guys wanted me but not everyone,” he said. “It didn’t happen – sad for them, maybe good for me because I went to Molde and it was a good choice. I even got a shirt, a No 9 Haaland shirt. I still have it at home. It never happened and my destiny was another way. It’s a decent way so far.”
