Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Samuel Fabre

Tue 24 March 2026 16:10, UK

Every Leeds United fan holds some affection towards Erling Haaland.

The Man City striker was born in Leeds and has consistently shown his love towards the Whites since he joined Pep Guardiola’s side in 2022.

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for the Whites between 1997 and 2000, making 74 appearances and scoring eight times.

In both meetings between Leeds and Man City this season, Haaland was either ineffective or unavailable, and MOT Leeds News brings you every time he’s shown the Whites some love this campaign.

Erling Haaland responds to Leeds after winning Carabao Cup final win

Man City won the Carabao Cup final by beating Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday, with Haaland playing all 90 minutes.

Ultimately, it was Nico O’Reilly’s second-half double that proved to be the difference as the Citizens eased to a comfortable victory in the showpiece event.

According to Sofascore, Haaland only won 20 per cent of his ground duels, and while it wasn’t his best day in a Man City shirt, he did enough to help his side secure their first trophy since 2023-24.

As Haaland walked up the steps at Wembley to lift the trophy with his team, one fan started chanting about Leeds towards the Norwegian striker.

Haaland replied: “‘Till We Die.”

Leeds supporters will be left dreaming of a world in which money wasn’t such a huge factor in football, as Haaland may have been a striker for the Whites in an alternate universe.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case, but that hasn’t stopped him from declaring his loyalty to the Peacocks.

Haaland does the Leeds salute after scoring in Man City vs Galatasaray

Man City beat Galatasaray 2-0 in the Champions League back in January, and Haaland proved his allegiance to the Peacocks after scoring in the first half.

He wheeled away in celebration before doing what is often referred to as the Leeds salute in front of the travelling supporters.

After the match, Haaland addressed the gesture in an interview and highlighted how his ties with Elland Road will never fade, with some Leeds fans even holding out hope he will one day join.

He said: “It was planned. I didn’t feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born.

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would play at Elland Road for City against Leeds. You can’t even dream about it, because it’s so surreal, with a father who has played for both clubs. I am proud today.”

And it’s not the first time he has been pictured doing the Leeds salute.

Haaland respects Leeds fans in earlier meeting this season

When Leeds lost 3-2 to Man City in November, Haaland wasn’t at his best, and his celebrations after the game were muted.

After the full-time whistle, the 25-year-old went over to acknowledge the Whites’ supporters who travelled to Manchester.

• His dad played for Leeds from 1997 to 2000
• Haaland has been playing for Manchester City since 2022 and has scored 154 times in 189 games
• He has previously stated his wish to win the Premier League with Leeds one day

Haaland is one of the best, if not the best, strikers in the world, and he just so happens to come from Leeds.

If he were to ever join the Whites in the future, it would be a dream come true for all parties, and although that move would potentially come towards the end of his career, he definitely wouldn’t turn it down.