'It comes from his mum and dad' – Guardiola labels Haaland a born goalscorer after Manchester derby treble
Erling Haaland has scored 14 goals in his first eight Premier League appearances after dominating Manchester United in Sunday's derby.
Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City's derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: "what he is doing, I didn't teach him".
Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City's 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.
The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.
His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.
Guardiola refused to take credit for the striker's form after the win, saying: "I said it many times and I will say again – what Erling is doing, he did in Norway, Austria and Germany.
"The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing, I didn't teach him.
"He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that."
As well as laying on two goals for Foden, Haaland created a game-high four chances on Sunday, and Guardiola was delighted by the quality of his link-up play.
"I have had incredible centre-forwards in my career," Guardiola continued. "What I liked was in the last period of the game, he was involved. I want him to be involved.
"He became a player to score goals, but I want him in contact with the ball. I like him being part of those situations.
"But of course, he has to put the ball in the net, and he is a fantastic striker."
Haaland has started all 11 of City's competitive games this term, and Guardiola plans to offer him the opportunity to rest at some point.
"He will take a break. There will be games he is not going to play," he said.
"We are lucky, last season he could not play many games in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.
"They are so important – with their hands, they allow players to play."