Haaland and Foden hattricks sink United at the Etihad

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden celebrate after sinking United on Sunday at the Etihad. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester City once again proved there’s only one boss on the blue side of Manchester after putting six past their city rivals Manchester United and the fact that the visitors managed to score three times in the second half doesn’t paper the cracks.

Erling Haaland confirmed the fears of many with a sensational hattrick, his third in only eight premier league games and you wonder if there’s anything or anyone that can stop the Norwegian that is on a mission to destroy every record.

Haaland wasn’t the only under 22 that starred on Sunday; a certain City boy, Phil Foden also showed why Pep Guardiola place so much value on him. The two combined to heap six goals past Manchester United at the Etihad and closed the gap on Arsenal to one point.

Guardiola benched Ruben Dias for Nathan Ake despite Aymeric Laporte returning to the squad after a nasty knee problem and the trio of Haaland, Jack Grealish and Foden retained their spots upfront; Ilkay Gundongan joined Kevin De Bruyne in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva in the absence of Rodri.

United manager, Eric Ten Hag retained the same team that beat Arsenal a fortnight ago but it didn’t take long for him to start looking at his bench. City raced to a 4-0 first half lead with Haaland and Foden grabbing braces each.

Malacia was removed for Luke Shaw and United’s Anthony sent home a screamer that gave the remaining United fans in the stands some hope after many left at halftime. Haaland made it five and not long after, Foden completed his hattrick too.

Two late goals from Anthony Martial put some respect on the visitors’ trip but Ten Hag felt disappointed in his boys after fulltime. “I don’t know what happened to them, this was not the plan. I am disappointed but we will evaluate tomorrow and come back stronger” – Ten Hag.