Manchester City 3–0 Manchester United. A derby night at the Etihad that will be remembered not just for bragging rights, but for a statement of intent. Two goals from Erling Haaland, one from Phil Foden, and suddenly City look alive again.
For a team that started the season with two losses in the opening three games, things felt shaky. Questions were being asked. Was Pep Guardiola’s side finally slowing down? Would the absence of Kevin De Bruyne hit them harder than expected? And most importantly, would Erling Haaland still be as ruthless without his chief supplier?
On Sunday night, those doubts began to fade. Haaland reminded the world why he’s different. Not human, almost mechanical. The Norwegian robot is back in full force, and if this form continues, we might be about to witness something historic.
Erling Haaland on Course to score 50 Premier League goals this season.
Last season was “average” by Haaland’s standards, which is crazy considering he still scored more than most strikers dream of. But compared to his debut treble-winning year, he looked a little off. The movement was there, but the finishing felt just a bit rushed at times.
This season, though, something feels different. The hunger is back. The swagger is back. Every touch inside the box feels like a goal waiting to happen. And with City’s new-look midfield settling in, Haaland isn’t starved of service.
Ryan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have added creativity. Omar Marmoush brings pace and chaos. Foden, fresh from injury, looks like he’s ready to run the show in De Bruyne’s absence. And of course, Rodri’s return gives balance to the entire team.
Pep’s rebuild isn’t finished, but the pieces are falling into place. And when they do, Haaland is usually the one cashing in.
The Pep Factor
Here’s another reason I’m optimistic: Pep Guardiola doesn’t do bad seasons back-to-back. It’s just not in his DNA. Look at his career—Barcelona, Bayern, City—he’s never gone two consecutive years without lifting a league title.
That’s why this season feels like a reset. Last year City were good, but not quite at their terrifying best. This year, with a squad refreshed and key players back, they’re chasing that fire again. And when City are chasing, Haaland is usually running ahead of the pack.
Haaland’s Projection: 50 Goals or Bust?
Okay, let’s get into the numbers properly.
- Games played so far: 4
- Goals scored: 5
- Scoring rate: 1.25 goals per game
- Projected total (38 games): 47–48 goals
If Haaland stays fit—and that’s the crucial part—50 goals is not out of reach. He doesn’t even need to maintain this exact rate. A couple of hat-tricks here and there, and suddenly the maths tilts in his favour.
Think about it. We’re in September, and he’s already at 5 league goals. If he hits double figures before October ends, the 50-goal dream starts looking very real.
This feels like the season where we’ll see peak Haaland. Not just the player who scores goals, but the one who drags City through tough games, keeps the title challenge alive, and maybe even takes us closer to another Champions League.
If City go big this season—Premier League, Champions League, or maybe even both—Haaland won’t just be lifting trophies. He’ll be the frontrunner for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Because let’s face it: if he hits 50 goals in the league, there’s no way football’s biggest individual prize slips away from him.
So… Will He Hit 50?
Honestly, I think he can. He just has that aura right now. Defenders know he’s coming, but they can’t stop him. He’s already averaging over a goal a game, and City are only going to get stronger as the season progresses.
My prediction? Somewhere between 47–50 goals in the league alone. And yes, that’s enough to win us something massive.
Final Take
As a City fan, I can say this: it finally feels like our season has started. The derby win, the return of key players, and Haaland’s terrifying form—it all points towards another serious title charge.
So buckle up. This could be the year where we witness Erling Haaland reach a level no striker in Premier League history has touched.
