Pep Guardiola dismissed studies of a launch clause in Erling Haaland’s contract after watching his star striker add one other two objectives to his season tally within the first half of Manchester City’s 5-0 rout of FC Copenhagen.
Following on from Sunday’s hat-trick towards Manchester United, Haaland scored City’s first two of the night time earlier than an personal purpose from David Khocholava and second-half strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez.
Such was City’s dominance that Guardiola may withdraw Haaland at half-time after seeing him rating his 18th and nineteenth objectives of the season for City.
The day had began with studies in Spain {that a} clause within the 22-year-old’s contract would give Real Madrid a free run at signing him as quickly as 2024, however Guardiola stated there was no reality to the report.
“It’s not true,” the City boss stated. “He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.
“The rumours and people talking, we cannot control it. I always worry about what we can control.
“What’s important is he has adapted really well, we have the feeling he is happy here. We will try with him and all of them who want to stay to make them happy.
“In the future, nobody knows, but he is happy, he has settled perfectly, he is incredibly loved and this is the most important thing.”
Guardiola stated the choice to interchange Haaland with Cole Palmer on the break was not pre-planned, however with City already in cruise management with a 3-0 lead 5 minutes earlier than the break, he took the chance to present him a breather forward of Saturday’s Premier League match towards Southampton.
“He has played a lot of minutes,” Guardiola stated. “Of course Cole Palmer is an excellent player, I’m looking forward to him playing.
“If the game was tight Erling will continue to play but after that it is better to rest and think about Southampton, a team we were not able to beat last season.”
There had been recommendations the choice may need signalled an damage for Haaland, however after returning to the bench late within the second half, the Norwegian ran on to the pitch to have a good time together with his team-mates after the ultimate whistle earlier than jogging round applauding supporters.
Haaland may need been upset to not be allowed the chance to hunt yet one more hat-trick, but when he was, it didn’t present.
“Erling wants the same as all of us – to win the game,” Guardiola stated. “He made the hat-tricks to win those games. Of course if he had played another 45 minutes he would have had more opportunities but we need everybody involved.”
Guardiola had made 5 adjustments from Sunday’s derby victory. Aymeric Laporte made his first begin of the season after damage, linking up with the returning Ruben Dias in defence whereas Alvarez, Mahrez and Sergio Gomez additionally got here in.
“It is not about resting players,” Guardiola stated. “It’s about a squad of 20 players, not just 11. This was the best selection to win the game because we need the players everywhere in this tight, tight schedule.
“It was an excellent result and a better performance. People say, ‘It’s Copenhagen’ but they defended really well, but we play the movements with the ball and without the ball.
“Today we see the reason for success for this club. After Man United, 6-3, there were a lot of compliments but we are humble enough to respect the opponent Copenhagen. This is the secret of this team. The work ethic in training, everybody is focused, everybody pays attention.
“This is why this season and in previous seasons, with important players, we are there every three days. This is the biggest title we can get. Beyond the Premier League, Champions League, everything. This is the best.”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk