Phil Foden opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium with a powerful header after just 18 minutes, before Erling Haaland doubled the lead with his first goal of the night just eight minutes into the second half.

Haaland then wrapped up the win with his second of the match — and fifth in just four league games — with a composed finish in the 68th minute.

City signaled their intent from the outset, launching a long ball forward in search of Haaland. A few tidy touches in attack, including a pass from Jeremy Doku, allowed the Norwegian striker to get a shot away — but it flashed narrowly past Altay Bayındir’s goal.

At the other end, Benjamin Šeško, making his first start for United, forced new City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into a smart save with a neat turn and shot.

Bayındir had a nervy moment shortly after when a poor backpass from Luke Shaw allowed Haaland to pounce, but the goalkeeper just managed to recover in time.

City dominated possession, but a rare lapse in midfield on 16 minutes allowed United to break forward quickly. Amad Diallo latched onto the loose ball, but the young attacker’s attempted bicycle kick was wasteful.

The miss proved costly as City opened the scoring just moments later. Doku beat three United defenders on the right edge of the box and delivered a pin-point cross for Foden, who headed home unopposed.

Doku nearly created a second in the 24th minute after some dazzling footwork set up Tijjani Reijnders on the edge of the area. The Dutchman’s low shot, however, was well saved by Bayındir.

United grew into the half, with Šeško battling hard to regain possession in attacking areas and looking to link up with Bryan Mbeumo. However, City remained relentless. Nico O’Reilly fired over the bar after a sharp turn on the edge of the box as City pressed for a second before the break.

United trudged off at half-time looking dejected but returned brighter, dominating possession for the first five minutes of the second half.

But just as they began to settle, City struck again. Following a simple throw-in, Doku teed up Haaland, who clinically slotted home his second.

Haaland nearly grabbed his third moments later after a defensive error gifted him a chance inside the six-yard box, but his shot struck the base of the post.

Donnarumma made a strong one-handed save on the hour mark to deny a well-struck Mbeumo volley, preserving City's two-goal cushion.

But the game was effectively over in the 68th minute when Haaland raced from the halfway line and swept home his second goal, making light work of the United defence.

United manager Rúben Amorim had just introduced Harry Maguire for Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo for Noussair Mazraoui, but the changes only seemed to further destabilise his side.

Reijnders should have added a fourth in the 75th minute after being put clean through, but he scuffed his effort just wide of the left-hand post.

City made late changes of their own, bringing on Savinho and Nico González for Doku and Rodri with 15 minutes remaining. Casemiro also came on for Manuel Ugarte for United.

Mbeumo curled a powerful effort just past the post in the 83rd minute and was off target again shortly after when a ball from Amad bounced awkwardly off his shin inside the box.

United had a brief flurry in City’s penalty area in the final minutes, but they failed to capitalise. Patrick Dorgu blasted over after cutting inside from the left, and Mainoo was flagged offside after trying to square for Mbeumo.

Dorgu also headed wide with Donnarumma scrambling, but by then, the result was beyond doubt.

It was a comfortable win for Pep Guardiola’s side, lifting them to eighth in the table with six games played. Meanwhile, Amorim’s United sit 14th with just four points from four matches.

Betway Premiership: Victories for Marumo Gallants and Amazulu