Pundit issues ‘huge’ Haaland-Man United claim after what he’s seen
Man United have a plan to keep Erling Haaland from scoring in this weekend’s Manchester derby.
That’s according to former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about where this weekend’s derby could be won or lost.
Man United travel to the Etihad on Sunday (2 October), looking to win a fifth-straight Premier League game.
Haaland, 22, has scored 14 goals in 10 Man City games this season with 11 of those coming in the Premier League.
Stopping the Norway international will be key to Man United walking away from the game with any points and McLeish insists this is something the club can achieve.
“The smart money is on Man City, I don’t think many people would disagree with me on that one,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“They might be calling me Sherlock Holmes for predicting that but I do believe Man United have a plan to stop Haaland.
“Haaland, I’m sure, will try to win the ball high and in the wide areas and move towards Martinez, the smaller defender.
“Haaland will be right on top of him when the ball is on his side. So this is the test for Martinez, it’s a huge test for the Man United defenders, playing against Haaland.
“You can see in the way Man United are playing, they might just keep him quiet. For me, that would be one of the feats of the season.
“I think everyone should totally respect the fact that Martinez was brought to Manchester United in the first place.”
Man City sit second in the Premier League.
They remain unbeaten after seven top-flight games.
In other news, a pundit has backed Manchester United to sign ‘brilliant’ Diogo Dalot replacement after quotes emerge.