‘Disrespect to Erling’, ‘More like Van Nistelrooy’ – Fans react as Man City staff likened the movement of Haaland to former Arsenal captain

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Staff at Manchester City have reportedly likened the movement of Erling Haaland to former Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, with the Dutch striker renowned for his ability to use space to his advantage in the attack.

Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in June and has set the Premier League alight just months into his debut campaign, scoring 11 goals with one assist from seven league games.

According to the Times, a senior member of City’s coaching staff has likened the Norweigian superstar to the former north London superstar, with Haaland’s movement being heavily lauded by fans and pundits for how much damage it has been causing Premier League defences.

Signed by Manchester United in 2012 for a reported £24m, Van Persie was arguably Europe’s best natural centre-forward from 2011 to 2013 as the attacker won the PFA Player of the Year award with Arsenal and then the Premier League title with the Red Devils a year later, and the Dutchman’s movement was a big part of how he was so efficient.

Indeed, Van Persie’s technical quality was some of the best the Premier League has ever seen from a striker, and his intelligence in his movement and how he used the attacking space can be seen in Haaland’s style of play, with the forward using it to break all sorts of records with City this season already.

Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm, yet given City’s lack of success in Europe, winning the Champions League will be the biggest indicator that Guardiola bringing the striker to England was the right move to begin with, and the forward’s movement off the ball could be key to such an achievement.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“A disrespect to Erling”
Credit: @PricelessJulian

“Disrespectful but logically spot on.”
Credit: @Sashank__

“Much better than RVP ever was.”
Credit: @Anthony15665779

“I’d say more like Ruud Van Nistelrooy personally.”
Credit: @Ashleymozza1

“Can’t see that comparison. More like Van Nistelrooy”
Credit: @HenryProudlock

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