Pep Guardiola has claimed he would not swap his Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for any other player in the world.
Coach believes Norwegian 'above' Liverpool hitmanHaaland scored six times during international windowFoden returns for derby against Man UtdFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hailed his new signing and Premier League record transfer Alexander Isak as "maybe the best striker in the world" but Guardiola believes his own forward Haaland is better than the Sweden hitman and every other striker on the planet.
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Guardiola told a press conference: "Erling is a little bit above. Isak is an exceptional player. But you asked me about Erling and he is top. Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. It's a game of opinions. Another one would say [Kylian] Mbappe, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo]… I wouldn’t change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him."
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Haaland has scored three goals already this season although he missed several big chances in City's last outing against Brighton as Guardiola's side slid to their second defeat in three matches. The striker, however, is in frightening form ahead of the derby against Manchester United on Sunday, having scored five times in one match for Norway against Moldova and getting the only goal – from the penalty spot – against Finland.
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City will be without striker Omar Marmoush against United after he picked up a knee injury in action for Egypt, while Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri are also out and John Stones is doubtful. Phil Foden, however, has recovered in time for the derby.