Pep Guardiola's Erling Haaland joke underlines obvious Man City strength as stunning form explained

Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland doesn't need to improve his general play - as long as he keeps up his scoring record.

The Manchester City striker has continued an incredible goalscoring record at the Etihad, and has broken more Premier League records this season with nine goals from his opening four games. Having only joined City in 2022, he has 99 goals from 103 appearances for the Blues and could break Cristiano Ronaldo's record at Real Madrid if he reaches his century against Inter Milan.

At the same time, Haaland has regularly been criticised for his involvement in the City team. Whenever the team don't win his touches or completed passes are usually highlighted, and Roy Keane compared his general play to being 'almost like a League Two player' last season less than two months before he went on to win a second Golden Boot and Premier League.

READ MORE: Man City have two priorities this week - and 115 charges hearing isn’t one of them

READ MORE: 'Not one rule' - what Man City directors told players in secret meeting on day of 115 charges

Haaland has described it as the 'million-dollar question' as to how much he gets involved in the City team, and Guardiola is keen for the striker to contribute. However, the manager joked that his player can do whatever he likes if he keep up his absurd level of scoring.

"He can evolve but if you tell me in the next 100 games he scores another 99 goals, for me it's fine," said Guardiola. "If he doesn't want to improve, just score 99 goals in the next 100 games that's fine with me and I'm sure for City it will be as well - and he will be.

"As much games as he plays in this club, he will improve naturally. I played 11 years as a professional and I scored 11 goals. This guy