The Norwegian, who struck twice to take his goal tally for the campaign to 12 in all competitions, limped off the field at full-time at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland had taken a blow to the foot late in the game and appeared to be struggling but Maresca is hopeful the issue is minor.

The City manager said: “We will see. I asked him and he said he was OK, so hopefully it is nothing serious.”

Maresca, who became the first manager in Premier League history to win his first seven matches as City maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign, revealed a number of others had also suffered knocks.

He said: “Unfortunately in 10 minutes we had four of five players – Matheus (Nune), Kova (Mateo Kovacic), Erling, Antoine (Semenyo) and Nico (O’Reilly) also – but they are inside now and we will see.”

Haaland again delivered as City continued to show their defiance in the face of the club’s ongoing crisis following their guilty verdict for serious financial irregularities.

Maresca said: “It’s fantastic for him. He’s not just scoring goals, he’s one of the leaders, he’s one of the captains. He’s doing very well.”

Haaland’s double reasserted City’s control after Phil Foden’s opener was cancelled out by Daizen Maeda.

He thought he had completed a hat-trick and put the game beyond doubt with another but it was ruled out by VAR for offside against Enzo Fernandez.

VAR then intervened again to award Ipswich a penalty for a foul on Abdul Fatawu by Marc Guehi, setting up a frantic finish as Zian Flemming rifled in from the spot, but City held on.

Maresca said: “We give credit to the players. They are not worried about people who judge from outside.

“Inside I promise the players are happy, they’re getting credit and I give credit to them.”

Maresca also hailed the fans, who continued to show their loyalty by waving inflatable bananas.

He said: “The environment was very good. The club, the fans, the players are all together on this journey and this is the best feeling for everyone.”

Maresca said he was “very happy” to have set a record for a new manager in the competition.

He added: “It’s a matter of winning games in this business and we were able to win seven in a row.

“What has made me very happy is the day-by-day with the players, the way they are working and how I can see them improving. The game today we completely controlled.”

Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil was disappointed the visitors could not take something from the game.

He said: “We’re disappointed we haven’t taken points.

“I’m proud of what the players gave. It takes a lot to come here and stay in the game for so long.

“It is another game where we have shown everyone we can compete but unfortunately we leave on nine points, which is what we came with.”