West Ham vs Man City: David Moyes agrees with Pep Guardiola’s view of Erling Haaland

Manchester City face West Ham United this Sunday in the opening round of Premier League fixtures, and David Moyes has already given his assessment on summer signing Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian had an evening to forget in Leicester on Saturday, as he made his competitive debut for City in the 3-1 Community Shield loss to Liverpool.

Haaland struggled to get on the ball or link with team-mates, and missed an injury-time chance from just a few yards out, striking the crossbar instead of smashing the ball into the back of the net.

Despite that, his manager Pep Guardiola was unconcerned after the game, insisting the striker will bounce back and score plenty of goals for City this term.

“Today he didn’t score and on another day he will score,” said the Catalan. “He is going to help us a lot, so when he scores in the States… Erling Haaland, everyone talks about him. He was there and had the chances, nothing changes.

“It is good sometimes to understand what he needs. It is good and I am not worried about that. We would be happy if we win and he would score a goal, but the reality is we have two or three months ahead of us that is so intense. He is going to help us, I am sure of that.”

Haaland could quickly banish those unwanted memories of last weekend, by netting against the Hammers on Sunday in his Premier League debut.

Moyes guided West Ham to a 2-2 draw over the champions in May, and has already given his opinion that Haaland will quickly settle at the Etihad.

“The problem is Haaland has a team around him - 10 other players and one of the world’s best managers on the touchline,” Moyes told the Daily Mail last month, on the struggles of facing City.

“He’ll get over it quite quickly - being new to the English game - because he’s at a top football club.”

West Ham host City at 4.30pm on Sunday, in the final match of the opening Premier League weekend.

The London side haven’t enjoyed the most positive of pre-seasons ahead of the new campaign, and after winning their opening match of the summer, have failed to win the subsequent six against sides such as Boreham Wood, Ipswich Town and Reading.