Erling Haaland admits he is NOT shocked by Man City’s flying start as he excels under ‘football geek’ Pep Guardiola

ERLING HAALAND admits his sensational start to life at Manchester City didn’t come as a shock.

The £51.4million striker says he thrives under City boss Pep Guardiola because they are both “football geeks”.

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Haaland has scored 12 goals in his first seven games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer – including consecutive hat-tricks.

He has had the best start in terms of goals of any newcomer in Premier League history.

But the Norway star, 22, told Telemundo Sports: “Obviously I’m a bit surprised but it’s not a huge shock, no.

“Because I know my own qualities and the good team I’m coming into. There are so many good teammates here.

“It’s a beautiful club with really good people here. I love being in this stadium and we’ve had some good moments so far.”

Guardiola said he enjoys the routine of always being asked about Haaland after games.

And the former RB Salzburg striker revealed he’s happy to be working for the former Barcelona manager.

Haaland said: “It was good as he’s a bit of a football freak like me.

“We both love football, he’s crazy about it and I like that.

“He thinks of everything how to make things better and I like that about him.

“It’s a complicated system at City and I’ve tried to get it as soon as possible as I can’t waste time on anything else.”

Haaland admits it feels special to be following in his father Alfie’s, 49, footsteps by playing for City.

He was just a toddler when his old man queued up on Maine Road around the turn of the century, and much has changed at the club since then.

Haaland added: “It’s a bit special because he played at City before and now I’m here. I saw old photos of him when he was here and it’s nice to think I play for the same club.

“That was 20 years ago, but it’s still the same club.

“We always talked a lot about football, watched and trained a lot together.

“We’ve talked about little things here and there and how defenders think compared to forwards.

“We still talk about football and it’s nice to have a former footballer as a father.”