Haaland has Man City point to prove after misfiring Real Madrid performance

With 83 goals from 92 games for Manchester City, it seems churlish to criticise Erling Haaland.

Haaland rewrote the record books last season, with 52 goals from 53 games in all competitions, as Manchester City clinched an historic Treble. But on Wednesday night, as holders City bowed out of the Champions League on penalties to Real Madrid, Haaland cut a peripheral, subdued figure, unable to influence the game.

He had one chance, a looping header in the first half that came off the bar, but otherwise the threat of 23-year-old was nullified by Real's centre-back pairing of Antonio Rudiger and Nacho.

In City's biggest game of the season, when they needed their star striker to step up, Haaland was muted, so much so he asked to be subbed before the start of extra-time.

Given the absurdly high standards Haaland set in his first season at City, perhaps he has raised expectations to an unrealistic level. But for a player whose game is all about scoring, two goals in his last seven games for City feels almost like a drought for the Norwegian star.

Moreover, the last time Haaland scored a goal of any real significance was in the Manchester derby on March 3, his 90th-minute strike sealing a 3-1 win over local rivals United at the Etihad although, in truth, Pep Guardiola's side had the game won by that stage.

Former United skipper Roy Keane was typically blunt a few weeks ago when he claimed Haaland laboured like a “League Two player” in City's 0-0 draw with title rivals Arsenal. While that jibe was far-fetched, Haaland certainly has not looked at his imperious best in recent weeks.

Over two games against Real, Haaland had just two shots on target and lost possession 14 times. He managed only 21 touches over 90 minutes on Wednesday and did