Erling Haaland gives clearest sign yet Man City chiefs are confident of escaping punishment for 115 charges

Erling Haaland has forcefully backed Manchester City to prevail in their protracted legal battle with the Premier League after holding talks with the club’s hierarchy before penning a decade-long contract.

City are awaiting a verdict on the hearing, held last Autumn, on more than 115 charges for alleged financial impropriety.

News on the case had been expected to emerge before the end of last season but has dragged through the summer.

City were charged in February 2023 and the wrangling now threatens to span across three separate seasons, with potential punishment ranging from demotion to a fine.

The Premier League allege that City failed to provide accurate financial information over nine seasons, full details of player wages and full details of ex-manager Roberto Mancini’s salary.

City strenuously deny any wrongdoing and Haaland suggested that the club had offered him assurances before extending his deal in January.

‘I spoke with the bosses, and in the end, I believe them,’ Haaland told TIME magazine. ‘It’s such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn’t really involved in it. I think the club knows what they’re doing. They will sort it out.’

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters apologised for a lack of update while appearing on NBC this week. ‘You can ask, but our rules are very clear,’ Masters said.

‘It’s a confidential process so I really can’t give any information out on timing or anything like that. There is nothing more I can add, so I am sorry about that.’

Since the hearing concluded at the end of last year, City have committed more than £300million to new signings. A new stand, estimated to cost £300m, is also under construction. Puma have extended their partnership with City by 10 years for around £1billion.

Haaland’s new deal – worth in excess of £400,000 a week - suggested confidence of innocence. ‘This (contract) feels really normal for me to do,’ Haaland added. ‘They have so much trust in me. Got the good feeling inside my body.’

The Norway international, who notched a 300th career goal during the disappointing Club World Cup campaign, insisted he has pushed City’s tough season to the back of his mind.

But he did admit to making a mistake in the FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace when not taking a penalty, instead handing the ball to Omar Marmoush, who missed.

‘I shouldn’t have given it to a new player,’ the 25-year-old said. ‘So all the responsibility is on me. I put him in this situation. I had a good feeling on him. But I should have taken it myself.

‘I cannot keep thinking about last season. That last season was not good enough, this or that. That’s the best part of football. There’s always something new that’s coming. You have to think about what is coming next and live in the present moment.’

Haaland might have 124 goals in 146 games for City but his former Molde boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, revealed how Manchester United passed up on the striker while he was manager.

Solskjaer claimed United could have landed the teenager for €20m, the release clause in his Red Bull Salzburg contract. Although growing up wearing City shirts, Haaland had given consideration to reuniting with Solskjaer, who had perfected his finishing at Molde.

‘When a coach you had before wants you, of course you listen,’ Haaland said.

Solskjaer had said: ‘By the time I came in as caretaker, Molde had sold him to Salzburg. I tell the club straight away: “Buy him.” He had a release clause. No-one else then would have paid that money.

‘It was 20m euros and it would have been a bargain. It was the club's decision to not go for him then.

‘We didn't go for him until he started scoring for Salzburg but then Dortmund, Juventus, everyone was there.’