sport news DANNY MURPHY: Signing Erling Haaland will lift the gloom of Man City's ... trends now

Manchester City's desire to sign Erling Haaland will only be strengthened by their Champions League exit against Real Madrid.

Though City scored five times over two legs and deserved to progress, they are out because of other missed chances. 

I believe Haaland is a striker who would have changed the outcome in the Bernabeu just as Sergio Aguero famously did against QPR to win City's first league title.

Sometimes the margins are so tight, you just need that natural goalscorer who doesn't tense up when a chance falls. 

Aguero would smash the ball in like he was playing football in the park with his mates, and Haaland looks to have the same mentality.

Chelsea fans would point out everyone was excited by Romelu Lukaku's arrival last summer but I can't see Haaland struggling in the same way should City get him.

He'll fit into the City ethos and Pep Guardiola will have a clear plan how to use him whereas you felt Thomas Tuchel wasn't the driving force behind Lukaku going to Stamford Bridge.

Despite Wednesday's European shock, City aren't in crisis. They could win a fourth Premier League title in five years.

They have an outstanding squad that can only be improved by really special players. Haaland is one and City getting a deal over the line would be a super move for them and lift any lasting gloom from the Real result.

This season, City have played with false nine. There are advantages in keeping possession and causing tactical problems but the big picture remains that having a forward capable of scoring huge amounts of goals is beneficial to being the best.

And though Haaland is famed for his strength, power and finishing, he has the technical ability that means Pep won't have to rip up the

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