Erling Haaland and the Man City secret weapon that could prove crucial

It was hard to miss Erling Haaland on the first day back for Manchester City this week.

The giant Norwegian stands out even before he starts pummelling footballs into nets, and with most of Pep Guardiola's squad a long way from Manchester as they rest up from the European Championship there was even more space for Haaland. The 23-year-old was in early for medical tests before taking part in a group training session later in the afternoon and will celebrate his next birthday before the week is out when a threadbare squad are in the United States for four friendlies.

City's commercial team will be thanking their lucky stars and stripes that Haaland is available to go on the tour, however disappointed he will be that he was unable to help Norway qualify for the summer tournament. As one of the biggest brands in world football whose appeal stretches beyond the sport, there will be plenty of eyes looking to get a glimpse of him in the four states where the Blues will be travelling to.

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Guardiola will also be hoping to be able to rely on Haaland pulling his team through the early stages of the season. It may take a while for the whole squad to get up to speed as they return later than normal after their international commitments, yet Haaland has a rare ability to take games away from teams so quickly and clinically that it can make light work of any absences.

To do that, City will need Haaland at his best. He enjoyed an astonishing first season in English football yet injuries dragged him down a little last year, even if he was still operating at a world-class level.

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