Andy Cole sends Erling Haaland “tough” warning after Man City star’s record-breaking season

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has broken his silence after Erling Haaland broke his Premier League record.

Manchester City’s Haaland exploded out of the blocks after his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund, claiming early hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.

In his debut campaign, the Norwegian has gone on to notch a record-breaking 36 Premier League goals, and a staggering 52 in all competitions.

And he’s not done yet either. City still have three games to wrap up the Premier League title, before taking part in the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Indeed, Haaland outscored Cole, who had set the former Premier League record tally of 34 goals when he was at Newcastle in the 1993/94 season.

Cole on Haaland record

Cole piled praise on Haaland for his exploits over the season, though stressed that it was easier to score goals at a club boasting City’s talent.

Speaking during a recent appearance on William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’, Cole said: “Why should I be disappointed about the record? Records are there to be broken and in all honesty, I don’t care.

"Someone else has got it now, fair play to them and let’s get on with it. I think he [Erling Haaland] has been absolutely brilliant and a real breath of fresh air.

“I’m not surprised he’s scored so many goals because you have to score goals in that Manchester City team.

“They create so many chances and all you really need to do is run the box and you could possibly end up with 20 tap-ins a season."

Cole added that the goals may not come quite as easily for Haaland next season. The United icon failed to record more than 21 goals in any league campaign after his magic 34-goal haul.

Cole said: "He was exactly what City needed in terms of that player that can be in and around the box and finish the chances when they come.

“He does it perfectly. He doesn’t really get involved until the 18-yard box, but when he does start getting involved outside of it, it’s probably game over as he’ll have everything going for him!

"Naturally, next season will be the toughest as a player’s second season in the Premier League always is.

“A lot more teams work you out in the second campaign and while I’m not saying he’s going to struggle to score goals because he’s playing for Manchester City, he might not get as many."

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.