Less than a month ago, believe it or not, there were doubts about Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian striker had a Manchester City debut to forget as they lost to Liverpool in the Community Shield in a match that saw Haaland miss two easy chances, including hitting the crossbar from just six yards out.

Getty

Getty

The likes of Sergio Aguero and Stuart Pearce expressed their reservations over Haaland’s ability to hit the ground running at the Etihad Stadium.

Three and a half weeks later and those doubts have well and truly been squashed with Haaland scoring NINE goals in just five Premier League appearances. He’s the first player to ever achieve that feat.

His latest outing saw him net a 38-minute hat-trick as City hammered Nottingham Forest 6-0.

And Haaland couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at any of his previous naysayers.

Posing with the match ball, Haaland said on Instagram: “They aint [sic] believe us.”

Having netted a treble in their win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, Haaland made it back-to-back hat-tricks. He’s already equalled the same amount of Premier League hat-tricks as Eden Hazard, Sadio Mane and Heung-min Son.

instagram @erlingbrauthaaland

And Michael Owen, who scored 150 times in the Premier League, has no doubt many more records are heading Haaland’s way.

“I repeat; This fella is going to break virtually every goal scoring record there is,” ex-Liverpool and Manchester United striker Owen tweeted.

“He’s too big, too quick, clinical in front of goal and he’s playing in a team that create dozens of chances. All he needs to do is stay fit. #Haaland.”

It’s safe to say talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara absolutely loves watching Haaland in full flight.

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“You’re looking at someone who’s come into the Premier League and he’s taken the mickey out of it,” O’Hara said on The Sports Bar.

“The goals, his movement in the box is just ridiculous. He’s got nine goals in five appearances.

“He’s scored two more goals than Chelsea have points. How embarrassing is that?!

“He is an absolute joke how good he is… if you’re a young player and you’re striving to be a centre forward, watch his movement in the box. Forget everything else in his game, just watch him in and around the six yard box, he does not stop moving.

“All he thinks about is ‘where can I score?’ and he’s always there. Gary Lineker was brilliant at it, right place, right time.

“Haaland is the best player I’ve ever seen in and around the six yard box, non-stop movement.”