Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has advised premier league defenders on how to tackle in-form Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, Softfootball reports.
The Norway international has been scoring with wreckless freedom since he moved to the premier league, regarded in many quarters as the biggest in the world. But he has defiled the odds with brilliant goals week in, week out for the Cityzens and his last ones came over the weekend as he got a brace in City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Rio Ferdinand was having a conversation on his official podcast and the question was asked by one of the presenters on how he would defend against Haaland during his prime. He replied:
Defend the space. Do not let him run, bounce him before he starts running. Don’t try and get physical because he is mauling these center halves. Just bounce him, put him off a little bit.
Push to go round one side, come the other. Like, little things like that. Before the ball comes in, before the referee’s looking at where the ball is going, you are there early and given him a little nudge out of the way. All of a sudden, he is looking at you and his focus is gone from the game. He is never going to get a pass.
Erling Haaland is truly a goals machine and has scored 17 goals in all competitions so far, 13 goals in the premier league and four in the UEFA Champions League and may add to his goals tally when Manchester City hosts his former side Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad later tonight.
Haaland is a firm fan favourite and it was no surprise when supporters of Manchester City hailed him for his amazing goalscoring exploits. A form they would hope he continues with as they eye the premier league title this season and UEFA Champions League glory.
Here is the full video of the Rio Ferdinand interview shared via his official podcast on X.
How Rio would defend vs Erling Haaland 😬
Dark Arts Revealed! 🔒
CC: @rioferdy5, @joelbeya, @MrStephenHowson pic.twitter.com/sqtVymqhez
— Rio Ferdinand Presents (@RioMeets) November 5, 2025Interestingly, Haaland was born in Leeds in 2000 and his father played professional football for former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Manchester City. The great defender Alf-Inge Haaland watches his son play at the Etihad almost every time.
Haaland is one of the highest paid players in the premier league but he nurses a secret dream of playing for Real Madrid and the Los Blancos are a huge fan of the big Norwegian but it remains to be seen if he would league the Cityzens anytime soon despite signing a long-term contract at the club.
