Gary Lineker sends X-rated message on Erling Haaland's behalf after spotting Man City moment

Gary Lineker has had his say on Erling Haaland and Man City after Sunday afternoon's hard-fought win against Brentford in the Premier League.

Gary Lineker has praised Erling Haaland for his response in an interview after Manchester City's 1-0 win at Brentford on Sunday.

Everything looked easy for Pep Guardiola's side in a one-sided first half. Haaland scored early for City before Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders went close to extending the lead.

However, another goal did not arrive and it was a completely different game in the second 45 minutes. Brentford pushed City all the way after the break but the Blues held out for what could be a big win in their season.

Following the game, Lineker had his say on an interview Haaland conducted with Sky Sports. "I loved the interview after with Erling Haaland," he said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

"He came over with Chappers [Mark Chapman] and yourself [Micah Richards], Jamie [Redknapp], and he said: ‘Well, the thing is, the first minute he starts pushing me, grabbing,’ and he said: ‘I felt a bit tired before the game, but then I thought right.'

"Basically, he didn’t say this on air but: ‘F*** you!’ And I know that feeling as well.

"You think: ‘Oh right, you want to have a go, you want to play physical do you?’ Don’t play physical with Haaland!"

On whether City can get back to their glory days, he added: "It depends on their recruitment and how successful, and how well one or two of their new players come in and settle. I like Reijnders.

"I think he’s a really good player. He’s got a lot a about his game.

"The wide men they’ve had in recent times were so good. But, I would never ever, ever, ever, write off Pep to bring back something special.

"Remember when he first came. Yes, Manchester City were already established as this great club and successful, but he took it to another level - along with good recruitment.

"It’s not easy to always get recruitment right - you’re going to make the odd mistakes. I think in the last two or three years, they’ve had one or two hits, but quite a few misses."

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