Erling Haaland's presence at Manchester City continues to be a double-edged sword. While his goal-scoring prowess remains undeniable, his individual brilliance sometimes obscures underlying weaknesses within the team.

Haaland's goal-scoring record since joining City in 2022 has been phenomenal. By September 2025, he had already scored 131 goals and provided 21 assists in 152 appearances for the club, averaging a goal contribution per game. In the 2022/23 season, he broke the Premier League record with 36 goals and scored a total of 52 goals in all competitions, a club record. He also became the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals, achieving the feat in just 49 games. As of September 2025, Haaland has surpassed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the highest-scoring Norwegian in Premier League history, with 93 goals. Recently, Haaland's brace against Burnley moved him into the top 10 of City's all-time scorers. On September 27, 2025, Haaland scored twice in City's 5-1 victory over Burnley.

Despite Haaland's consistent goal-scoring, Manchester City has shown vulnerabilities. In the 2024-25 season, they finished third in the Premier League. Some observers have noted that City's midfield has struggled to control games as they once did. During a game against PSG in January 2025, City's midfield was dominated, and the team couldn't close down the game after taking a 2-0 lead. Pep Guardiola has acknowledged issues with the midfield's ability to win possession and transition effectively.

There have been concerns about City's over-reliance on Haaland for goals. While Haaland has been in excellent form, with 7 goals in 6 games this season, the team's slow start to the 2025-26 season has raised questions. City's defense has also shown some instability. For example, in a match against Burnley, Rúben Dias had an uncharacteristically difficult game.

Despite these challenges, Haaland remains a key player for Manchester City. His availability is crucial for maintaining balance and a focal point in attack, especially as City navigates a busy schedule. Guardiola has also expressed optimism about City's attacking options, with the return of players like Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki expected to strengthen the team.

In a game against Burnley on September 27, 2025, City defeated Burnley 5-1, although two of City's goals came from Burnley player Maxime Estève, who scored two own goals.