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Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that Erling Haaland is unlikely to be handed the captaincy, largely because of the sheer number of goals he scores.

The new City manager has regularly used a system during his coaching career in which the captain must come over to the touchline for tactical instructions whenever the team scores.

With the Norway forward finding the net so often, Maresca believes it would not make much sense for him to replace Bernardo Silva, who left at the end of last season.

Speaking to reporters during the squad’s pre-season tour of Asia, he said: "At Leicester and Chelsea, I had a rule that when we scored, the captain had to come to the bench for instructions and not celebrate."

"But if he scores, then he can celebrate. If Erling is the captain, f****** hell – we have a problem, can you imagine?

"I think even if it is two or three minutes, there is always something to adjust. At the moment, we have three or four (captains) and we are missing one (Rodri is recovering from back surgery).

"In the case of Rodri (who has been linked with Barcelona), see what happens."

Meanwhile, England Under-21 striker Divin Mubama has completed a loan move to Southampton after spending last season with fellow Championship club Stoke, where he scored five goals in 28 appearances.

The 21-year-old, who impressed strongly during City’s tour of Asia, told Southampton’s website: "I believe in myself, 100 per cent. With the way this team plays, when you’ve got players around you that have that much quality, you will be served.

"It’s up to you whether you put the ball in the back of the net, and that’s what I’m here to do.

"I’ve just come back from a pre-season where I’ve scored goals. I’ve been playing, I feel really fresh, I feel sharp, so I’m just really excited to get going."

City return to action on Sunday when they face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff.

They will then open their Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on 23 August.