Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has called upon his teammates to maintain their hunger after a strong start to their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League season on Tuesday night.
Erling Haaland scored a crucial brace to help Manchester City beat Porto in their UCL group phase opener
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Haaland grabbed his fourth and fifth goals in all competitions under Enzo Maresca as Manchester City extended their perfect start to the season to four games.
The Blues sit top of the Premier League table ahead of this weekend's trip to Manchester United and have hit the ground running with a new-look squad after a busy transfer window.
City sporting director Hugo Viana and co made wholesale changes to the first-team ranks following the departure of Pep Guardiola, with Elliot Anderson, Geronimo Rulli, Jeremy Monga, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan Elias, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez coming in.
Meanwhile, Manchester City bid farewell to Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Omar Marmoush in what marked a sliding doors summer for the club.
As the transfer deadline passes, here is a comprehensive round-up of every single deal completed by Hugo Viana and Manchester City across the summer of 2026.cityxtra.co.uk48 Man City Transfers Completed in the 2026 Summer Window - Full List
As the transfer deadline passes, here is a comprehensive round-up of every single deal completed by Hugo Viana and Manchester City across the summer of 2026.
Amazing Game Against the Champions of Portugal, Says Haaland
Following expectations of a rotated side ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby, Maresca went full strength against Porto and handed Bouaddi his full City debut, resting Anderson in the process.
City created a host of clear-cut opportunities in the first-half but were unable to put them away, though that is not to take away from how well a group of players who have only trained together for under a week combined against an outfit as well-drilled as Porto.
"Amazing game, against the Champions of Portugal," Haaland said in an interview with Prime Video after City's win. "They are a top team, impressive, all of them. Well done to them. But we have to deliver on the biggest stage, and that's what we did today!"
Manchester City and Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi has seen his starring performances over the last 12 months recognised by the Ballon d'Or awards.cityxtra.co.ukMan City's Ayyoub Bouaddi Nominated for Leading Ballon d'Or Awards Prize
Manchester City and Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi has seen his starring performances over the last 12 months recognised by the Ballon d'Or awards.
Haaland: We've Got a Gem in Bouaddi!
Bouaddi earned huge plaudits for his mature performance in the middle of the park, winning possession back for City multiple times and effortlessly making his way out of danger under pressure when Porto pressed the Blues.
Haaland added: "I think he did a really good game! In the last couple of weeks in training he's been - I just told the chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak] - amazing, in training and everything. So I think we've got a gem there, to be honest.
"But I think he should've played me through in the second-half; I was all alone, so I was a bit angry, so I will tell him right now - but he played a good game, except that pass.
"We have to learn, Enzo [Maresca] has to demand a lot from us, we have to demand a lot from eachother, and we have to win games - because in Man City you have to win games and you have to win trophies. So that's what we have to do in this club!"
Enzo Maresca addressed the shape of Manchester City's new era at his post-match press conference following Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.cityxtra.co.ukIt's the Beginning of a New Project, Says Maresca in Man City Rebuild Message
Enzo Maresca addressed the shape of Manchester City's new era at his post-match press conference following Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.
Let's Keep Going, Haaland Says on Goalscoring Feat
Haaland was further asked if his new manager would be satisfied with a two-goal margin triumph. "I hope so! We won away in a difficult game, look at this atmosphere, it was unreal at times," the Norway international said. "So I hope he's happy!"
The 26-year-old built on his strong start to the 2026/27 campaign with a crucial brace to become the third-highest all-time goalscorer in Manchester City history. "That's not bad, that! Let's keep going," the striker added.
The Leeds-born star will be desperate to maintain his fine run in front of goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday evening.