Haaland's demand to team-mates immediately after City's FA Cup success

03 June 2023 , 16:38
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Erling Haaland shifted his focus seconds after the FA Cup final (Image: BBC)
Erling Haaland shifted his focus seconds after the FA Cup final (Image: BBC)

Erling Haaland's mindset was clear as he ran to his team-mates second after Manchester City's FA Cup final and said "one more".

The Norwegian is enjoying a sensational debut season in England and, weeks after claiming the Premier League title at the Etihad, has now won the FA Cup after two Ilkay Gundogan strikes saw off a dogged Manchester United team 2-1 at Wembley.

Haaland's desire to win has been evident throughout this season and, with the treble now on the line, the Norwegian embraced Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva after the full-time whistle before saying: "one more, one more".

City hit overdrive in the final weeks of the season, winning 12 of their final 14 games to overcome Arsenal in the title race. They had to show another side of themselves to edge the FA Cup final leaving them with just the Champions League next week in Istanbul.

Pep Guardiola has been unable to win the European Cup at City with his last success coming in 2011 at Barcelona. The Manchester outfit came up short two years ago but have been relentless this term, producing a stellar show to see off Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer qhiqhhideeixuinvPep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer

Haaland has already scored 12 times in the Champions League as he continues to relish playing on the European stage. Five of those came in a victory over RB Leipzig with the forward eyeing more history at City - which would see them emulate United.

Haaland's demand to team-mates immediately after City's FA Cup successThe Norwegian has claimed two trophies in his first year

The Red Devils remain the only English team to ever win the unique treble and couldn't stop their neighbours despite having the opportunity at Wembley.

Gundogan, who scored the winner, has said on their achievement: "To win a final is always special. Every trophy is special. This group deserves it. We played really well, second half was amazing and we deserved to lift another trophy. Obviously we know how we want to play the kick off and we aim to do that, to go long for Erling and try to get a second ball. It just placed amazingly for me and I just had to hit it. Obviously it was a quite good strike."

He added on his own future, which is very much in doubt as his contract winds down: "I don't need these kind of days to feel appreciated and feel special in this club. I know that and that is why I have been here seven years. Nothing is decided yet, we will see what will happen."

Samuel Meade

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