Erling Haaland already has an advantage other Man City signings haven't had

As first interviews go, Erling Haaland passed pretty much every test in his first actions as a Manchester City player.

He said all the right things, found the right balance between flattery, ambition and keeping grounded, and gave City fans just enough to really believe he wants to be at the Etihad. These unveilings are as much an advertising exercise as anything else, and it's the first opportunity for a player to persuade fans they are ready to buy into their club.

So Haaland leant into his past links to City, given his dad's time playing for the club when he was born, but didn't overplay them. When he said 'I have been a City fan my whole life,' it wasn't just the usual platitudes of a player trying to win favour with his new fans. And City must use that to their advantage.

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Haaland spoke of attending games at Maine Road, but not necessarily remembering much about them, but was glowing of his memories at the Etihad and said he watches City as a fan whenever he can. He spoke to dad Alf-Inge about the ins and outs of playing for City, while admitting the club has completely changed in the 20 years since he was captain.

Of course, Haaland may be exaggerating his support, but the pictures of himself at various stages of his childhood back up his comments. City has always been a part of his life, and now it's his club for the next five years. And Haaland's knowledge of City's journey in that time can help him hit the ground running.

Because City fans have had a different journey to other supporters. They have seen the club through thick and thin, in the third division and back. They have a unique sense of humour and face regular taunts that the