Manchester City summer signing Tijjani Reijnders has revealed he is working closely with Erling Haaland to build a stronger connection on the pitch, after celebrating a convincing 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Dutchman, who arrived from AC Milan in the summer, told Algemeen Dagblad that he is in constant communication with the Norwegian striker to refine their attacking chemistry.
City supporters witnessed the midfielder’s first taste of derby action on Sunday, where Pep Guardiola’s men eased to victory thanks to a brace from Haaland and a clinical finish from Phil Foden. According to Voetbal Primeur, Reijnders could have added to the scoreline himself but admitted he is still adjusting to his new surroundings in Manchester. His honesty underlines the stakes at City this season: Guardiola needs his new signings to settle quickly if the champions are to stay ahead of [Liverpool] and [Arsenal] in a tightening Premier League title race.
The Dutchman has already shown glimpses of his quality in the Premier League, registering one goal and one assist in four appearances. However, he stressed that adapting to the rhythm of English football — and to Haaland’s devastating movement — is still a work in progress. With a hectic fixture schedule that includes Champions League group stage clashes, can Reijnders and Haaland click in time to maintain City’s dominance both domestically and in Europe?
Tijjani Reijnders building partnership with Haaland
Reijnders emphasised the importance of daily training ground conversations with Haaland. He explained that understanding the forward’s runs and finding space between the lines are key elements he is working on.
“It takes time to get used to each other. Every match, I have to look for opportunities to make a through ball. We often talk in training about how we can help each other as much as possible, by constantly watching each other on the pitch. That went well against Manchester United.” — Algemeen Dagblad
The Norwegian striker, who also shone during the international break with Norway, has benefitted from service across City’s midfield. Adding Reijnders’ creativity could make the reigning Premier League top scorer even more lethal.
Donnarumma’s debut adds to City’s strength
The derby also saw Gianluigi Donnarumma make his first appearance since his deadline day switch from Paris Saint-Germain. Reijnders spoke glowingly about the Italian, highlighting his imposing presence and Champions League pedigree. For Guardiola, the capture of the 26-year-old keeper offers long-term stability in goal.
Tijjani Reijnders 2025/26 season stats so far
| Stat (2025/26) | Tijjani Reijnders |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | 80% |
source: sofascore match data – 16 September 2025
These numbers show promise, particularly his willingness to contribute in the final third. With 1.3 key passes per match, Reijnders is already finding ways to supply City’s forwards, though Guardiola will expect even higher consistency as the season unfolds.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes that Reijnders’ integration could determine City’s attacking depth this season:
“Guardiola has often relied heavily on Kevin De Bruyne for creativity. With De Bruyne recovering from injury, integrating Reijnders quickly is crucial. His passing range and calmness under pressure provide a new dimension. The real challenge is syncing with Haaland, who thrives on split-second decisions and runs in behind.”
William also added: “Sunday’s derby suggested the early stages of a strong connection. Haaland’s second goal came from coordinated pressing and sharp transition play, which Reijnders was central to. If this chemistry develops, City could become even more unpredictable in attack.”
Key Insights
- Reijnders admits it will take time to adapt to City’s system.
- Communication with Haaland is central to his development.
- Donnarumma’s debut drew praise from teammates.
- City remain unbeaten in the league and eye Champions League success.
- Guardiola sees Reijnders as a key creative outlet while De Bruyne recovers.
What’s Next for Manchester City and Reijnders?
Manchester City face [Arsenal] next weekend in the Premier League. These fixtures present more opportunities for Reijnders to build rhythm and refine his partnership with Haaland against varied opposition styles.
Looking ahead, much of the focus will be on whether City can maintain momentum in the title race while blooding their summer signings. If Reijnders continues to grow in confidence and effectiveness, he could become one of the most decisive transfers of the 2025 summer window.
👉 Could Reijnders emerge as the creative spark City need to complement Haaland and fill the De Bruyne gap this season?
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