EMOTION HAAL WRECK

Erling used to break down in tears after missing a chance 

- DAVID McDONNELL

ERLING HAALAND no longer bursts into tears when he misses chances to score.

The Manchester City goal machine revealed that when he was younger he would cry if he missed the target – but these days he takes it in his stride.

On Sunday, despite scoring City’s final goal in their 3-1 derby defeat of Manchester United, Haaland was guilty of what Gary Lineker said “might be the worst miss I’ve ever seen at this level”.

With United leading 1-0, Phil Foden headed the ball into the path of Haaland just before half-time. With the goal at his mercy, the Norwegian tried to steer the ball in with his left foot, rather than heading it.

He sent it flying over the bar, with those watching inside the stadium, as well as the millions watching around the world, looking on in disbelief at such a glaring miss from the planet’s most prolific striker.

But Haaland, who has 80 goals in 84 games for City, has learned to immediately wipe such missed opportunities from his mind, although he admitted it has not been an easy process.