"I'm not sure what everyone expects for him" - Former Manchester United star Andy Cole slams Manchester City star's critics
Manchester United legend Andy Cole can't understand why many think Manchester City striker Erling Haaland isn't a good fit for the club. The Norweigan has been in remarkable goalscoring form this season.
Haaland, 22, has scored 33 goals in 34 games across competitions, including 27 in 25 league outings. However, City trail Arsenal by five points in the Premier League title race. Some are attributing that to the former Borussia Dortmund' attacker's arrival.
Cole disagrees with those sentiments given the number of goals Haaland has bagged this season. The Red Devils great told Yahoo! Sport:
"People say he shouldn't have signed for Man City because he doesn't fit in. But if I've got 27 goals by February, and everyone's telling me that I've made the wrong move... what's the right move, then?"
Cole doesn't understand what the expectations are of Haaland, as he's more than contributing on the goal front:
"You've got 27 goals by the end of February, and you've got the chance to get to 40 goals. I'm not sure what everyone expects for him."
Erling Haaland has now registered 5 assists for Man City so far this season. He is now on 38 goals + assists in only 33 appearances this season.
He doesn’t just score goals. 🅰️ https://t.co/PTSInW2IqV
Haaland joined Manchester City from Dortmund last summer for £54 million. The Cityzens were in need of a new striker, and they secured one of Europe's deadliest frontmen.
Nevertheless, there's a feeling that Pep Guardiola's side would be better off without the Norweigan. They flourished last season with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus interchanging in their frontline.
The duo have since departed to Chelsea and Arsenal respectively. However, Cole's argument has merit, as Haaland has already eclipsed last season's Golden Boot winners Mohamed Salah and Son Heung Min's tallies of 23 goals.
Manchester City manager Guardiola seemingly cursed Manchester United by claiming they were in title race
Manchester United were enjoying a season to remember under Erik ten Hag till last Sunday (March 5). They had just secured their first trophy since 2017 by winning the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the final.
They were also hot on the heels of second-placed Manchester City heading into last weekend. Ten Hag's men were six points off Guardiola's side. However, the Red Devils stumbled, as they were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield. In the process, they suffered their joint-biggest competitive defeat in their history.
Guardiola had claimed that Manchester United were in the title race just days before that Anfield drubbing. He said (via Manchester Evening News):
"They are back. Some are happy, this reunion, happier than the other ones, but it should happen sooner or later."
He added:
"I said a month ago United are back. Their body language, how they celebrate the goals, the commitment, how they run for each other - in the past, it was not like that - you feel that this is United, come on."
A week ago: Celebrating the Carabao Cup win.
Today: Losing 7-0 against Liverpool
What a week for Manchester United 🤯
#PulseSportsNigeria #LIVMUN https://t.co/0E88Hvk2ju
Manchester United look to get back to winning ways in the league on Sunday (March 12) against Southampton. Meanwhile, Manchester City battle Crystal Palace a day earlier.