Erling Haaland sends his support to Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder scored his FIRST Man City goal in their Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade

• Kalvin Phillips netted his first goal for Man City in a 3-2 victory over Red Star 
• He was handed a rare start amid uncertainty over his future at the Etihad 
• Will Marcus Rashford EVER be the real deal? Listen to It’s All Kicking Off

Erling Haaland sent a message of support to Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder scored his first goal for Manchester City.

Phillips was given a rare start in the 3-2 win against Red Star Belgrade, with City’s passage to the knockout stage of the Champions League already confirmed.

Youngsters Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb scored for Pep Guardiola’s side, before Phillips secured the victory from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. 

The England international has struggled for game time ever since he left his boyhood club Leeds for City in the summer of 2022, and there has been speculation that he could leave the club in January.

Haaland – who is currently out of action with an injury – was watching the game from home, and posted a picture of Phillips celebrating with a blue heart emoji onto his Instagram story. 

Kalvin Phillips (centre) scored his first Man City goal in their 3-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade

Erling Haaland sent Kalvin Phillips a message of support on his Instagram story after his goal

It was just the second time this season that Phillips has been named in the starting XI.

Guardiola recently apologised for not picking the midfielder more often, but has said that he ‘struggles’ to see the 28-year-old in his team.

The likes of Newcastle, Juventus and Manchester United have all recently been linked with a move for the ex-Leeds captain.

Phillips might see a transfer away from the club as a wise decision, as he will be determined to make the Euro 2024 squad at the end of the season.  

Phillips’ penalty was his first goal in 30 Man City appearances and first in any club game since August 2021

Erling Haaland didn’t make the trip to Belgrade after missing the prior game with an injury

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His goal was his first in 30 appearances for Man City, and the first in 51 club games since he netted for Leeds against Crewe back in August 2021. 

Man City now turn their attentions to their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday. 

They will then head to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup where they will play the winner of Mexican side Leon and their Japanese opponents the Urawa Red Diamonds. 

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