‘Sad for 10 seconds’ – Pep Guardiola reveals the incredible mentality of Erling Haaland following missed chances

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is only ‘sad for 10 seconds’ when he misses chances in front of goal, manager Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The Norway international striker had a mixed afternoon for Manchester City against their cross-town rivals on Sunday afternoon, squandering a golden opportunity in the first-half to bring the scoring level following Marcus Rashford’s opener.

A header back across the face of goal from Phil Foden presented Haaland with the chance to tap home into an empty goal from no more than three yards, but his volleyed effort was somehow send over the crossbar and away from danger.

Speaking after the 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, City boss Pep Guardiola not only revealed that he is ‘disappointed’ when Erling Haaland also feels the same, but that his star striker is not sad for any more than 10 seconds after a missed chance.

“When he is disappointed, I am disappointed,” said Pep Guardiola. “I want him to score four or five like he did at Luton. He can miss this one and be sad for 10 seconds. Miss five more and be sad for 10 seconds in his mind. Then erase it and on to next.”

The City manager continued, “The great players I met – and was fortunate to manage some of them – have this ability to forget in an instant, it’s painful. It has to be. Forget it as quick as possible, tennis players, golf players, basketball players. They miss, everyone else, too. 

“Smile, be positive, go for the next. That defines the great players and he did it.”

Erling Haaland’s disappointment at not scoring would not last however, with Manchester City’s leading goalscorer striking in additional time at the end of the contest to round off the scoring and secure all three points for the reigning champions.

Sofyan Amrabat’s sloppy lapse in concentration deep into Manchester United’s defensive third saw him dispossessed by Rodri, who in turn presented Haaland one-vs-one with Andre Onana, sliding the ball into the bottom corner for 3-1 on the afternoon.

Manchester City will be hoping that Erling Haaland’s goalscoring form continues into their next Premier League encounter in particular, as they travel to Anfield to face off against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the top of the division.