‘I questioned’: Michael Owen says he was absolutely wrong about 23y/o Man City star

Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen has said that when Manchester City signed Erling Haaland, he questioned whether the young striker would be able to bang in the goals for fun.

The 23-year-old has dominated the Premier League stage following his £51million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Since then, Haaland has netted 60 goals in 65 matches across all competitions as well as winning the treble with City last season.

Owen has admitted that when City signed the 23-year-old from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, he was not fully sure if he would be a success in the Premier League.

Owen said about Haaland on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel: “He is almost unplayable, especially in that team as well.

The former Real Madrid striker added: “When he first signed, I questioned.

“I watched Dortmund a lot, and I had seen him, and his stereotypical goal was ball over the top, brute force, powerful finisher as well.

“And I thought, ‘Everybody that plays against Manchester City sits back on the edge of their box. There is no way Haaland will score one goal like that. He is going to have to really adapt his game’.

“And he has adapted. He is just amazing.”

Well, the Norway international has been criticised lately after failing to score in three successive outings for Manchester City. He actually has eight goals in eight Premier League appearances so far this season,

That is – of course – not that huge of a goal drought, but after Haaland broke records with his stunning 52 goals in all competitions last season, expectations are high.

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is still the Premier League’s top scorer so far this season, and despite a small goal drought in recent outings, he is far from the problem at Manchester City.

City and the Norwegian talisman resume their Premier League charge on Saturday afternoon. Brighton are due to visit the Etihad Stadium.