Erling Haaland impressed Danny Murphy just 30 seconds into Manchester City’s match with Manchester United.
The Norwegian stole the show against the Red Devils by scoring a second-half brace, with Gary Neville being one of many that was impressed with the work Haaland was doing off the ball as the 25-year-old seemed up for the Manchester derby.
The contest added to the superstar’s impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign, in which he has now scored five goals across four games, and the difference between the striker this season and the last was evident in the first 30 seconds of the Manchester derby.
Murphy was impressed by what he saw Haaland do, which set the tone for the rest of the match for the Norwegian international.
Erling Haaland celebrates his goal during Manchester City v Manchester United.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Erling Haaland impressed Danny Murphy in the opening 30 seconds of the Manchester derby
Haaland was straight out of the blocks during the Manchester derby as the 25-year-old had a chance within the opening minute of the match.
Speaking about the Man City superstar, Murphy knew the Norwegian meant business against Man United after just 30 seconds of the game, as the pundit was impressed by how the 25-year-old contested with Matthijs de Ligt.
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“I don’t know if you saw the first 30 seconds of the game, the ball went back and they went long and he stood up against De Ligt and just went bosh and knocked him out of the way and then knocked it on,” Murphy said about Haaland on talkSPORT.
“Then they had that chance where he put it at the back post, 20, 10 seconds later. And you know when you just see something and think ‘oh, he means business’.”
This was a sign of what was to come from Haaland, with the Man City star also impressing Rio Ferdinand with his display against Man United.
Erling Haaland is currently ‘unplayable’ at Man City
It was clear from the opening weekend of the Premier League season that Haaland was back to his best, and the Norwegian superstar has shown no signs of slowing down for both club and country.
Murphy believes the Man City star looks incredible at present, and thinks the 25-year-old is currently at a level of being “unplayable”.
“I mean, he looks physically brilliant. Most of us watch the game, and he’s been the best striker in the world for a good few years now because the job as a striker is to score goals, and his goal scoring is ridiculous,” the pundit said on talkSPORT.
“The icing on the cake is when you get the other bits which we saw yesterday, which is some link up, some hold up, defensive headers in the box, all the things.”
“When he’s like that and he’s on top of his physique, the fitness side of his game, he just looks unstoppable and unplayable”.