Erling Haaland reflects on season so far as Manchester City train in Abu Dhabi

Manchester City FC are in Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp ahead of the domestic season’s restart later this month, with Pep Guardiola and his squad set to head back to Manchester to meet up with those who have been playing at the FIFA World Cup.

Star striker Erling Haaland, who has had a sensational start to his City career, took time out to speak about the trip, the season so far and hopes for the rest of the campaign.

On having a break in the season

It’s been a good opportunity to reset. Of course, every player wants to be at the World Cup. It’s my dream to represent my country there, and I’ll work hard to make sure that I do that one day. But the break has been positive. I’ve had the chance to rest, take my mind off football for a few weeks and put myself in the best possible place to return. I can’t wait for it to start again. I’m raring to go.

On watching the World Cup

The World Cup is great to watch for any football fan. Of course, I would prefer to be there playing, but it’s the best teams and the best players competing against each other. There have been some fantastic performances and some that maybe people wouldn’t have expected. Now we’re into the most exciting part of the tournament when one little mistake means you could be out, which makes it even more enjoyable to watch.

On Abu Dhabi

It’s a beautiful place. We’re lucky as professionals to go to many beautiful places and travel around the world. To come here before the start of the new season is a great opportunity just to recharge and focus our minds again on club football returning. We have all the facilities we need; the weather is a little warmer than it is in Manchester this time of year, and we can prepare as a group. Okay, not all