Wayne Rooney makes bold claim about Haaland amid incredible run of form

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By Martin Graham | 19th Sep 2022

Wayne Rooney has hailed Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as a ‘unique’ player and predicts the Manchester City man is on his way to becoming ‘an absolute superstar’.

Manchester City signed Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for £51m this summer and the Norwegian has been in brilliant form, scoring 11 goals from his opening seven Premier League games.

It’s important to remember that Haaland is still only 22-years-old and will go on to smash all kinds of records in England’s top flight if he continues to score goals at this rate.

However, the in-form forward still has a long way to go before he can level up with legendary Manchester United striker Rooney, who currently ranks as the second highest scorer in Premier League history with 208, while Alan Shearer holds the all-time record, with 260 goals.

Rooney enjoyed a trophy-laden spell, where he won five Premier League titles at United as well as the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and three League Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

The 36-year-old, who is the now the manager at DC United in Major League Soccer, has backed Manchester City striker Haaland to shatter records and become a superstar in his own right.

Rooney backs Haaland to hit greater heights

Speaking on what he thinks Haaland can achieve in the Premier League, Rooney said to the Times:

“Yeah, he’s doing okay isn’t he?”

“I watched his goal against Dortmund and it’s interesting – he had a chance just before, when it was crossed to him along the floor and the defender nipped in.”

“He went with the outside of his left foot and Pete [Shuttleworth] said ‘I remember you used to do that – why wouldn’t Haaland go with his right foot?”

Rooney added: “I said sometimes as a striker you’re just more comfortable doing it that way, than going with your weak foot – and then of course he jumped and scored one in the air with the outside of his left.”

“Watching him play is incredible. He’ll obviously score goals, like he has been doing, but I just think he makes the difference to City.”

“I think he’s unique, he’s recognisable, he has presence – on and off the pitch, I think he’s going to be an absolute superstar.”

Haaland’s stunning numbers since he joined City

Haaland’s latest strike against Wolves means he now has 14 goals in his first ten games for City.

His first came via a penalty and his second was a cool finish after Kevin De Bruyne found him in behind the Hammers defence. Both were dispatched in easy fashion by one of the world’s best forwards.

He continues to get better with each passing day. It is early days, but it looks as if the Premier League will be too easy for Haaland.