Even with Erling Haaland continuing his ruthless form, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca insists "there is always room to do better and improve" as his side prepares to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Erling Haaland will be desperate to get on the scoresheet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
More Videos
The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign this summer, where he scored in four consecutive appearances as part of a seven-goal haul before being shown the exit by England at the quarter-final stage.
Haaland scored braces against Senegal, Iraq, and most memorably Brazil, when both of his goals came in the final 11 minutes of regulation time to conclude a scintillating and historic comeback win.
Last season, the striker scored 38 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions and won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the third consecutive season with 27 goals, ahead of Brentford's Igor Thiago and City teammate Antoine Semenyo.
Maresca Insists Haaland Can Always Improve Despite Being One of the Best in the World
Since opening his 2026/27 Premier League account against Crystal Palace, Haaland has gone on to score five goals in all competitions and hasn't gone a game without scoring since the end of last month.
The striker revealed after the 2-0 win over FC Porto on Tuesday that he was practising headers in the garden with his dad Alfie a matter of days before the game, always looking to improve in more ways than one.
Of his five goals this season, three have been with his head - and Maresca believes that there is always room for improvement, no matter the calibre of player.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on his side's fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to face Manchester United.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Press Conference: O'Reilly and Doku Fitness Updates Ahead of Man United
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on his side's fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to face Manchester United.
“Even if we are talking about top players, fantastic players, I think there is always room to do better and improve," the Manchester City manager said in reference to his number nine in Friday's press conference.
"Erling knows there are things he can do better. He’s trying to improve and for sure, he will continue to score goals."
Maresca’s side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to build on their perfect start to the season and make it five wins in as many games in all competitions.
Haaland will almost certainly lead the line for City as he attempts to continue his fine scoring form, with the potential to increase his tally of eight goals against United since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2022.
Highs and Lows in Form Part of Football, Says Maresca
Perhaps as a result of his limited downtime following the FIFA World Cup, the City forward failed to score in against Arsenal in the Community Shield and Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the Premier League season in August.
However, in the following week, when Manchester City visited Selhurst Park and beat Crystal Palace 4-1, Haaland scored a brace alongside Rayan Cherki, with Maresca providing reassurance that it is completely normal for a player to take some time to get going as a new season begins.
“It’s normal. We’ve said many times, World Cup, never stopping; it’s normal," the Italian added. "There will be a moment where he will be down, and we need to help him.
“As I said in the last press conference, probably we need to give him some days off, some weeks off, because it’s not just in terms of the player; it’s in terms of a human being.
"You cannot be 12 months at a high level. It’s normal that there is some moment where you go down, and we need to manage that.”
Haaland is expected to be partnered by Antoine Semenyo and one of Iliman Ndiaye or Rayan Cherki in attack on Sunday, with summer midfield signings Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi in line to make their first start together in sky blue.