Erling Haaland is Manchester City’s unstoppable force. Explore the top storylines for the 2025/26 season, from his record-breaking goals to Premier League challenges.
Haaland’s Dominance: Will Anyone Stop Man City’s Star in 2025/26?
Erling Haaland is a name that strikes fear into defenders and sends Manchester City fans into a frenzy. The Norwegian striker, with his towering frame and relentless scoring instinct, has redefined what it means to be a goal machine. As the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off, fans glued to mobile lives scores will be waiting to see if anyone can slow him down. With a new long-term contract tying him to City until 2034, the stage is set for another blockbuster campaign. Here are the most intriguing storylines to watch as Haaland aims to cement his legacy—one electrifying goal at a time.
A Record-Breaking Pace: Chasing Shearer’s Crown
Haaland’s goal-scoring stats are nothing short of jaw-dropping. With 79 Premier League goals in just 87 games as of last season, he’s on a collision course with Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260. According to Opta, if Haaland maintains his 0.9 goals-per-game ratio, he could surpass Shearer by the 2029/30 season. Last season, he smashed records with back-to-back hat-tricks and reached 100 goals for City in just 105 appearances, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat.
Will 2025/26 be the year he closes the gap even further? With new signings like Rayan Aït-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders bolstering City’s squad, Haaland has the creative firepower to keep piling on the goals. But injuries, like the ankle issue that sidelined him briefly last season, could be a hurdle. Fans are eager to see if he can stay fit and keep his scoring boots red-hot.
Can Liverpool or Arsenal Dethrone City?
Manchester City’s dominance took a hit in 2024/25, finishing third behind champions Liverpool. Haaland himself called the season “catastrophic,” a rare dip for a club that won four straight titles before that. With Pep Guardiola’s contract extended and a revamped squad, City are hungry to reclaim the Premier League crown. But Liverpool, led by Mohamed Salah, and Arsenal, with their disciplined defence, are ready to challenge.
Haaland’s head-to-head battles with top defenders like Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba will be must-watch. Last season, he scored against both teams, including a tidy finish past Arsenal’s David Raya. Can these rivals find a way to neutralise his physicality and clinical finishing? Or will Haaland’s partnership with playmakers like Savinho, who assisted multiple goals last season, prove too much?
Norway’s World Cup Dream
Beyond club football, Haaland’s international ambitions add another layer to his story. Norway hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1998, but Haaland is determined to lead them to the 2026 tournament in North America. Qualifying matches this fall will test his leadership, especially after he scored 18 goals in 20 games for Norway before joining City. An intense World Cup campaign could elevate Haaland’s global stardom, but it might also stretch his stamina as he juggles club and country duties.
Tactical Evolution: Fitting Haaland into City’s New System
Pep Guardiola’s tactical tinkering is always a talking point, and 2025/26 is no exception. Last season, City found stability with a 4-2-2-2 formation that sometimes left Haaland on the bench, favouring attacking midfielders like Omar Marmoush and Jack Grealish. This setup sparked debate: how do you accommodate a pure No. 9 like Haaland in a system without traditional strikers?
Guardiola hinted at adapting the system to feature Haaland centrally, with wingers like Savinho or Phil Foden tucking inside to create space. The addition of dynamic midfielders like Rayan Cherki could unlock new passing lanes for Haaland. Fans are buzzing about whether this hybrid approach will maximise his goal tally or if Pep’s experimentation might limit his minutes.
The Mental Edge: Haaland’s Hunger
Haaland’s mentality is as formidable as his physique. Despite a “catastrophic” 2024/25, he showed resilience, scoring 21 Premier League goals and hitting his 300th career goal against Juventus in the Club World Cup. His decision to pass a penalty to teammate Omar Marmoush in the FA Cup final, even when City were trailing, highlighted his team-first attitude.
But whispers of a potential move to Barcelona or Real Madrid surfaced last season, tied to Guardiola’s uncertain future. With both player and manager now committed long-term, will Haaland’s focus be unshakable? Fans tracking his every move on Livescores.biz – today football score will get their answer soon enough. His hunger to win silverware, especially after missing out on the Premier League last year, could make him even more lethal—and every goal he scores will be a statement.
What’s Next for the Goal Machine?
The 2025/26 season is a pivotal chapter for Haaland. Can he stay injury-free and chase Shearer’s record? Will rivals find a way to stop him, or will he power City back to the top? And can he carry Norway to World Cup glory? One thing’s sure: Haaland’s reign is far from over, and the football world is in for a thrilling ride.
