It was quite the statement. Just daily after City announced that they had agreed to sign the prolific Norway striker from Borussia Dortmund, they hardly looked in need of attacking power at Molineux.
Wolves didn't even play that badly, yet with De Bruyne at the centre of the storm they were blown away as City won 5-1 and moved to within four points of a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.
They already take some stopping, but everyone inside the stadium and much beyond was left wondering how good they'll be once Haaland is on board next season.
For now, though, it appears they do not need him - especially with De Bruyne in goalscoring form like this.
The 30-year-old has been better known for demonstrating his exceptional creative powers since joining City in 2015, but it appears he has been taking note of his manager's advice to do to seek out the web more himself, in addition as providing his trademark assists.
He was so willing to shoot, all of his first three goals came along with his so-called weaker left foot as he completed his first City hat-trick inside 24 minutes - the third-quickest in Premier League history from the beginning of a match.
A fourth, together with his right-foot, followed after the break. it absolutely was a scintillating solo display which meant De Bruyne now has 19 goals all told competitions this season - and it's fair to mention his manager was impressed.
"Unstoppable, brilliant, awesome, outstanding, perfect," was Guardiola's verdict afterwards. He wasn't exaggerating either.
"Kevin always had the power to make the special things," Guardiola added.
"Always we push him to mention he's an out of this world player, generous with assists, but he has got to score goals and this season is that the most prolific he has had since we are together.
"We spoke to him about running into the box and being closer to the box and this season he has done it better and better.
"I am very happy for him due to course scoring four goals within the decisive a part of the league straight away is so important.
"Hopefully it'll continue, not just this season except for the remainder of his career - i've got a sense that he has began to enjoy scoring goals.
"Before it had been just assists, but now i believe he likes it - he likes it when his team-mates come to hug him."
Team effort the key for De Bruyne
De Bruyne was, typically, much more modest when he was quizzed about his evening's work and was already thinking of City's next test, away at West Ham on Sunday.
"It was an excellent start from the team and myself," he said. "I thought we played a decent game away so i'm very pleased with the team.
"We alternated very well. Whenever Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden was going into the space, we went contrariwise. Whenever we had opportunities within the half we scored, which changed the dynamic of the sport.
"Whenever we play, we've to play the sport we play. that is what we did today and that we will need to do the identical against West Ham.
"West Ham have had an excellent season and played very well. it's their last game of the season so we all know it'll be a tricky one. we do not have plenty of players - it's about commitment, but it's visiting be hard."
Guardiola gave a welcome of his own to Haaland, saying he was "very pleased" he had chosen City.
"Big congratulations to the club because they need signed a player for the subsequent years, because he's a young talented player.
"Next season we are visiting work together. Hopefully he can settle - we are visiting help him settle as soon as possible in terms of Manchester, his house and everything, and that i am pretty sure he's visiting adapt quick to the way we wish to be.
"He has scored lots of goals in his career and that we are visiting help him have more chances to get goals."
Haaland's arrival will give Guardiola a formidable forward line but his issues as they fight to urge over the road this campaign appear to be at the opposite end of the pitch.
Injuries to Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker on top of Nathan Ake's lack of fitness had already left them wanting defenders but they saw two more, Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho, limp off on Wednesday.
Fernandinho was already filling in alongside Laporte at centre-back due to an absence of numbers and Guardiola failed to seem optimistic he are available at the weekend.
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