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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Dan Brown

'There is nothing better' - Erling Haaland shares 'best part' of playing for Man City

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has suggested that his chemistry and understanding with teammate Kevin De Bruyne already feels both 'natural and insane'.

The Norwegian frontman grabbed his third hat-trick of the season against Manchester United in the derby on Sunday afternoon, with England international Phil Foden also scoring three times against Erik ten Hag's side.

Haaland has scored 17 goals in 11 games in all competitions so far this campaign, which has included 14 in the Premier League. The former Borussia Dortmund man has established strong on-field relationships with a number of his teammates - especially Belgium international De Bruyne.

ALSO READ: Erling Haaland compared to Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo

De Bruyne helped himself to two assists against United on Sunday, with his pinpoint pass to the back post - which was finished by Haaland - arguably the move of the match.

City striker Haaland has insisted that the pair's on-field telepathy already feels like second nature, with the 22-year-old also lauding the rest of his teammates.

"Yeah, it’s amazing. It’s insane, the passes, we find each other," Haaland said of De Bruyne. "I have only been at the club a couple of months, but the chemistry feels so natural. This may be the best part.

"It’s natural, that I go on the run, and he finds me. When this feels natural, there is nothing better. It is fantastic, it is really something special, but we cannot forget about the others. Kevin is one player, but I could stand there all day and talk about everybody else.

"It is not only him, but there are also so many others and other amazing passes."

Haaland has the opportunity to break several top-flight records this season, and the Norwegian's third hat-trick of the campaign at the weekend saw him become the quickest player to reach that total by 40 appearances, beating the previous best tally achieved by Michael Owen, who did it in 48 appearances.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Despite this, the forward has claimed that he isn't focused on the prospect of individual records or goals. Instead, he insisted that he is relaxed and calm about the situation.

"Of course, a striker measures himself by goals but when I go into a game, I don’t think ‘now I want to score a goal’. No, I cannot do this," he added.

"I have to relax and make sure I do everything right. If we do everything right the chances will come, the finishing is good and it will go in the goal and that is exactly how I had to think. I score one goal and celebrate, and I want to do it again. Three times? Nothing better. I felt it on Sunday before the game and I felt it on Saturday in the training.

"I felt a hungry club that wanted to attack this game which is exactly what we did. Yeah, it feels amazing, the atmosphere was insane. (And) It is not only me, but also all my teammates. Everybody I am playing with, they make it happen.

"Without them, I would never be able to do this so praise to them. It is fantastic to play here and I am looking forward to more."

City face off against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, hoping to make it three wins from three matches in Europe.

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