Erling Haaland is no longer just Manchester City's centre-forward. He is the face of the club.

That much was clear long before Sunday, but the 199th Manchester derby offered the most compelling evidence yet. City arrived at Old Trafford with Enzo Maresca still shaping his side, and departed with three points, a 1-0 win, and a performance from their number nine that felt like a statement of intent.

For 45 minutes, though, it looked like Haaland might be reduced to a bystander. The game's early rhythm didn't suit him. He was subdued, unable to impose himself on a contest that was about to tilt sharply against his team.

Phil Foden's 23rd-minute dismissal changed everything. City were down to ten men, and the afternoon threatened to turn into a damage-limitation exercise. What followed was anything but.

Haaland lifted. It is one thing to lead the line when your side is dominant, quite another when you are a man short and the crowd is baying. Alongside Antoine Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye, he became City's out ball — the target for long, hopeful clearances whenever the visitors were forced deep. His hold-up play was superb, the kind of controlled, physical centre-forward work that buys a team precious seconds and turns defence into attack.

The link-up was just as important. Haaland brought Enzo Fernandez, Ndiaye and Semenyo into the game, knitting together moves when City had no right to keep the ball. It was the performance of a striker who understands that leading from the front isn't only about goals.

Then, on the hour, the reward. Josko Gvardiol's cross found him at the back post, and Haaland ghosted in to beat Senne Lammens with a finish of real quality. A smart goal, and a fitting one for a second-half display that had dragged his team over the line.

The emotion at full time told its own story. Haaland crouched and struck the floor in elation. He revved up the travelling City support, and his teammates celebrated long and hard with them. It was clear how much this one meant.

Maresca's side is still in its early development, but this felt like a significant moment. Haaland, alongside Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma, led from the front. In a new-look City, he is the figurehead — and the responsibility sits comfortably with him.

In a way, this is now his team. On this evidence, he is ready for it.