Haaland: Man City have lacked hunger this season

Erling Haaland conceded a lack of hunger is behind Manchester City’s failed Premier League title challenge this season.

The Norwegian added that his own personal performances have not been up to scratch despite scoring 30 goals across all competitions in a season that was stalled by an injury picked up in the win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup at the end of March.

Pep Guardiola’s men can still lift silverware in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace this month, but their run of four Premier League titles has come to an end, while they were knocked out of the Champions League in the play-off round by Real Madrid.

Speaking to ESPN, Haaland said that injuries – including to Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri – cannot be used as an excuse for not competing for the two biggest prizes this term.

He said: “Of course, you can find excuses, injuries, many injuries at bad times, but in the end we haven’t been performing well enough.

“We haven’t had fully the hunger inside of us. I haven’t been good enough. I haven’t helped the team enough. In the end, we haven’t been good enough.”

Vintage @ErlingHaaland pic.twitter.com/X915PX6YBy

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 8, 2025

Haaland hurt his ankle in the victory over Bournemouth but has returned to training and was an unused substitute as City defeated Wolves 1-0 last time out.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker could feature against Southampton this weekend with an eye of building up his fitness for the Wembley showpiece with Palace on May 17.

“It was horrible to be injured, but what can you do?,” Haaland added.

“You have to recover as quickly as you can and to come back as fit as you can. Now I’m back with loads of energy.

“I’m feeling good and moving good and I’m ready.”