ERLING HAALAND has taken some time out of pre-season to brush up the manners of a room full of reporters.
The Manchester City bagsman sat down in front of the press before City’s pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash, which ultimately saw City lose 3-2 to Milan, Haaland carried out his media duties with a press conference.
But before he answered any questions about the club’s pre-season preparations, the Norwegian powerhouse ensured everyone was being polite from the off.
Upon walking into the press room he said hello to the reporters, but was shocked to find that nobody said hello back to him.
The 24-year-old wasn’t going to let the moment slide and quickly joked “Say hello then!”, prompting a class-room like response from the journalists in the room.
And his lesson in manners certainly paid off, as when he was leaving the press conference he tried the same thing again.
Haaland thanked the room for their time, causing the reporters to thank him too.
Haaland cheekily walked away with a grin on his face, before saying: “good response”.
Fans absolutely loved the moment and some even likened it to a school teacher ensuring their students are saying please and thank you.
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One social media, one fan wrote: “Class teacher vibes”.
While another added: “It’s even funnier when you remember how much younger this guy probably is than most of the journalists”.
A third joked: “Good afternoon Mr Haaland”.
And a fourth commented: “Haaland kind of gives off Bond Villain vibes.
“If the guy instructed me to say hello, then I’m doing it on the spot.”
Haaland played the first half of City’s 3-2 loss to Milan, scoring the opener in the 16th minute.
But Pep Guardiola‘s star striker was taken off at the break so as not to push him too hard during the pre-season tour.
City’s pre-season efforts have fallen below expectations with the Manchester club losing to Milan and Celtic to kick off their preparations before drawing 2-2 with Barcelona yesterday.
Guardiola’s side have just one more warm-up game, a friendly against Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday, before they begin their season proper.
City take on local rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10, raising the curtain on the new season.
Guardiola has admitted that Haaland is carrying a few knocks during their pre-season tour – leading to concerns over whether he will be fit for the Manchester Derby clash.
Speaking after their match with Barcelona, the City boss said: “He’s got some niggles. He didn’t feel good, [it is] disturbing something, he doesn’t feel comfortable.
“Muscular niggles is not worth the risk. Sooner or later he has to take a step.
“To lose him for three weeks, that would be a problem as 60-70% of the squad are on holiday.”
