Haaland urges Manchester City to trust the system after Crystal Palace win

Erling Haaland says Manchester City need more time to rediscover their best form after a shortened pre-season, despite beginning their Premier League campaign with two victories.

City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 in their second league match of the season, with Haaland and Rayan Cherki both scoring twice. Palace’s only goal came through an own goal by Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Haaland said the squad would improve as it played more competitive matches together, with several new players adapting to a new manager and system.

“The preparations were short. Rayan Cherki was at the World Cup only five weeks ago. As the matches go by, we will regain our level, and we just need to play some games,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

“We played well. We have a new manager, but we have been playing together for a while, with some new players joining. We know what we have to do, and we have to trust the system.”

The Norway striker said City still needed to develop their understanding on the pitch and find the best way to use their attacking options.

“We have to continue playing together, find out our best positions and how to play. We have many great players, and we have to find the right way to involve everyone,” he added.

Haaland also backed Phil Foden to build on his contribution and show his quality consistently throughout the season.

“He has to keep working because we know how good Phil is. It is about showing that week after week. This is a right step forward for everyone, and we have to build on it,” said Haaland.

The result moved Manchester City on to six points from their opening two matches. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have lost both of their games and remain without a point.

Haaland’s two goals also continued his impressive record in August. He has scored 23 goals in 16 Premier League appearances during the month, with only Andy Cole having scored more. Cole managed 25 goals in 44 Premier League matches played in August.

Cherki’s performance created a separate piece of Premier League history. He became the third player to appear in one match in which he scored more than once and another match in which he provided more than one assist during his team’s first two matches of a season.

The only players to achieve that before Cherki were Thierry Henry with Arsenal in the 2004-05 season and Didier Drogba with Chelsea in the 2010-11 campaign.

City’s emphatic victory therefore provided an immediate boost after the concerns surrounding their limited preparation period. Haaland, however, stressed that the team’s progress would depend on continuing to play together, developing their movement and trusting the approach under their new manager.