Haaland is playing with a smile on his face, and proved as much when cutting a mischievous figure in training. Andreas Schjelderup was among the first in his sights, with the Benfica midfielder being told: “You're allowed to be up on your toes, Schjelderup. It's allowed.”
As quick-moving rondo drills continued, Haaland broke into a Mancunian accent after seeing a ball fizzed beyond him at head height. He initially asked, with a northern twang, if team-mate Thelo Aasgaard was “f*cking alright” before adding: “Have you been drinking? Have you been drinking? What did you do last night?”
Haaland also took aim at fellow City star Oscar Bobb at one stage, with the 22-year-old winger looking slightly bored as he gazed into the distance. Norway’s No.9 said: “Oscar. Oscar. Oscar, please can't you start running?” More mistakes from those around him led Haaland to say: “Oh my god. It’s so bad now. It makes me unwell.” His words of wisdom included a message about hitting the net. He said: “Most things are not about quality. It's all about mentality. You have to want to score.”