Haaland super fit all thanks to Super Mario

PEP GUARDIOLA has hailed ‘Super Mario’ as the secret weapon which has allowed Erling Haaland to take the Premier League by storm.

Haaland has played every game for City since joining from Borussia Dortmund despite a chequered injury record.

But Guardiola insists it is the work of City’s army of physios – in particular Mario Pafundi – which has been key to getting the best out of him.

Haaland, 22, goes into his first Manchester derby with 14 goals in his first nine games for City. Having missed 16 matches with muscular problems for Dortmund last term, he has played every single game this term. “Mario is an exceptional physio and I’ve always said to the club the most important department in the backroom staff is the physios,” said Guardiola.

“They take care of the legs. Erling struggled in Dortmund last year with injuries and arrived here with small problems after surgery in the summer. But he started to work with Mario and other guys and thanks to them – and his work ethic – he can play regularly now.”

City sent Pafundi with Norway for their Nations League fixtures and Haaland played two full matches.

Now the striker will lead the line as City look to keep up the pressure on Arsenal at the top.