Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2: Lee Sobot's YEP video verdict
The red-hot Manchester City striker is believed to be a big Leeds United fan.
Leeds United are set to come up against one of their most famous fans on Sunday when they face Manchester City - and it’s not Kalvin Phillips.
Erling Haaland’s links to Leeds stem from his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, who played 92 times for the club between 1997 and 2000 - a period during which the current Manchester City striker was born in West Yorkshire. The Norwegian’s soft spot for the Whites has been well-documented but on Saturday, he will be on the other side.
Leeds head to the Etihad this weekend knowing they are in for a huge battle and for those 90 minutes, Haaland will be the enemy as he goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the prolific finisher has had to say about the Whites previously.
What has Erling Haaland said about Leeds United?
Haaland scored a brace in his first ever game against Leeds back in December 2022, a 3-1 for City at Elland Road when Jesse Marsch was in charge. The Norwegian’s celebrations were notably muted, however, and he explained after full-time it was due to his love for the opposition.
He told VG: “It was planned. I didn't feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born. Of course I cheer together with Jack [Grealish] and said ‘good job’, as they were two fantastic assists. Father and mother were in the stands, the whole family in the stands. It is special.
“When I was little I had a Leeds kit with Eirik Bakke on the back and a City kit with my father on it. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would play at Elland Road for City against Leeds. You can't even dream about it, because it's so surreal, with a father who has played for both clubs. I am proud today!”
Haaland shot to stardom before joining City at Borussia Dortmund but long had ambitions of playing in the Premier League at Elland Road - albeit for the home side. Speaking during his time with Austrian club RB Salzburg, he said: “I want to be the best possible. The dream is to win the Premier League with Leeds. In addition, the goal is to become a better player than dad was. I hope to be able to get more international matches than he did.”
What have others said about Erling Haaland and Leeds United?
Haaland is not the only Leeds fan at City, and the striker struck up an instant relationship with former Whites midfielder Phillips, who also moved to the Etihad in 2022. The pair had even organised to attend an Elland Road match together, although it’s unclear if that ever happened.
“Erling Haaland is a Leeds fan, yeah. He is,” Phillips told BBC Radio 5 Live a month before that 3-1 City win in 2022. “He is a massive Leeds fan as well. We have actually talked about coming to Elland Road as well to watch a big game. Leeds fans need to watch out for us in the stands.”
And then-Leeds boss Marsch had also heard from Haaland, who he coached at RB Salzburg, ahead of that game. The American said: “Erling texted me as soon as the schedule came out and he said he was most excited for Boxing Day.
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“He was born here, his father has history at the club and he has the club in his heart because of that. When I got this job, he and his father were both incredibly supportive and excited. We expect him to be passionate about this match, which causes issues for us.”
Haaland’s love for all things Leeds was clear during an international break back in September 2020, following that 2019/20 Championship title win under Marcelo Bielsa. The striker scored twice for Norway in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland and after full-time, approached Stuart Dallas for a surprise shirt swap.
“It was a nice touch," Dallas told PA Sport. "Obviously there’s a Leeds connection there but I didn’t think he’d want to swap shirts with me. It’s nice that he keeps an eye on Leeds and he wished me all the best in the Premier League and that shows a lot about the type of person he is. His performance was incredible. He’s only 20 and he has a big future ahead of him… maybe someday he’ll come to Leeds.”
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