Aymeric Laporte’s message to hat-trick hero Erling Haaland revealed after 6-3 win over Manchester United

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte left Erling Haaland a unique message as the Norwegian striker collected yet another match ball.

Haaland, along with Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as City demolished their bitter rivals Manchester United on October 2.

The Citizens romped home to a 6-3 victory, leaving them hot on the trail of Arsenal who still sit top after a derby win of their own.

In the process of the game, Haaland also broke two records, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score three consecutive home hat-tricks, and also shattered Michael Owen’s long-standing record of the quickest to score three hat-tricks in the league.

When a player scores a hat-trick, they take home the match ball, as a memento of something that for most players is a rare occurrence.

Their team mates usually sign it with a brief message, usually along the lines of ‘well done’.

And, after netting another hat-trick, his Spanish teammate took the time to leave Haaland with a rather unique message.

Laporte, who signed for City back in 2017 wrote: “I have signed more balls for your hat-tricks than contracts”.

Laporte signed for City back in January 2017 from Athletic Bilbao for £57.2 million, which at the time was City’s record signing.

He has since been a mainstay in their defence, forming a formidable partnership with Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias.

If Haaland keeps up his ridiculous scoring rate in the Premier League, he will finish on 67 goals, breaking the record of 32 currently held by Mohamed Salah.

His incredible strike rate has caught the attention of Alan Shearer, who holds the current record for most Premier League goals with 260. The former Newcastle striker said “if he stays fit, he’s breaking it!”

It moves the former Borussia Dortmund striker to 14 goals in the Premier League this season, seven clear of second placed Harry Kane.