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Man City fans fear England cannot stop Haaland

A man with shaved white hair, looking slight off camera, he is in the car park of Manchester City stadium as the ground can be seen behind him. He has a black T-shirt and has sunglasses on. It is a head and shoulders shot.

Paul Burnell

North West

Manchester City fans who support England have mixed emotions as the team prepare to face Norway, with a rampant Erling Haaland looking in ominous form.

City fans know the threat posed by the 25-year-old who has scored 105 Premier League goals in 120 games since 2022, and has thrived on the game's biggest stage - vying with Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappe and England skipper Harry Kane to be the World Cup's top scorer, scoring seven goals in four games including two in the victory over Brazil.

"He's ruthless he's rapid and he's having the time of his life," said BBC Radio Manchester's Manchester City presenter Emily Brobyn.

She added: "When Haaland first came to City, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"He marauders and menaces, prowling in front of the opposition goalkeeper."

Emily Brobyn has long black hair, dark spectacles and is wearing a sky blue sweater. Behind her is the pitch at Manchester City FC with the rest of the stadium in the background.Emily Brobyn

"What I fear most as an England fan is his ability to hoodwink defenders and his fearlessness."

So how would she stop him in Miami?

"He thrives off the link-up play and balls being delivered by width or central pockets.

"Odegaard has been key to that, so target their relationship and try and disrupt that.

"Either that, or pray!"

Erling Haaland in Norway's Red shirt with black cross saltes the fans after scoring against Brazil.Reuters

Another fan looking for divine intervention is lifelong City fan Paul Ruleman, 64, from Manchester.

"He's sometimes there not looking like he's doing much, and then all of a sudden, like the other night against Brazil he bangs in two great goals," he said.

"It's hard to say how you could stop someone like him, he's just so special. Probably put extra players on him, I don't really know."

Brian Mitchell has white hair and white beard. He wears sky blue branded Manchester City baseball cap and yellow high-visibility anorak. There are cars behind him. He is the focus on the photo.

Apprehensive Sky Blues fan Brian Mitchell, 68, from Manchester, added: "I'm dead scared - I think he is going to get a hat-trick.

"How can England stop him? They won't. He's got seven goals up to now."

Arpit Gupta, has short black hair, dark sunglasses and a white shirt he stands outside the Manchester City Superstore.

As a Man City fan Arpit Gupta, 37, from India has other loyalties and sees Haaland's performances as a good harbinger for next season.

"After his performance in the last two weeks of the World Cup, I am totally excited to see him playing for Manchester City again.

"My loyalties are torn as Stones is in the England team, but in any case I think Spain will win the World Cup."

Mancunian Lily Andrews said: "Haaland is amazing and really fast.

"When he gets the ball - you've got no chance getting it off him - I hope England win but I do want Haaland to score.

"I love City, but I would love England to win the World Cup."

Lily has a dark Man City shirt and wears a sky blue sash. She has strawberry blonde hair. She stands in front of the Manchester City Superstore.

What season ticket holder Mike Bath fears about Haaland is what he relishes about the Nordic marksman when he sees him at City.

"He might get only three touches in a game but will probably score from two of them.

"I want England to win but if we have to go out I would rather it be to Haaland."

Mike Bath has white hair, spectacles and a grey shirt, with blue kagoule and stands outside the Etihad Stadium. It is a head and shoulders shot.Mike Bath

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