Carragher ‘says things just to say things’ insists Man Utd legend after Haaland nonsense

Will Ford
Jamie Carragher talks about Chelsea

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has taken issue with Jamie Carragher’s assessment of Erling Haaland, claiming the pundit “says things just to say things”.

Despite an incredible return of 27 goals in 24 Premier League games, Carragher questioned whether Haaland “picked the wrong club” and if he improves Manchester City following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham earlier this month.

The Norway international failed to register a single shot on goal in that game and his teammates have been criticised for failing to play to the striker’s strengths, often failing to spot his runs behind opposition defences.

And Carragher reckons Pep Guardiola’s side are now a “lesser team” with Haaland as they concede more goals and haven’t scored more than they did last season.

Carragher said: “I think we’ve only seen 60 per cent of Erling Haaland, he might have picked the wrong club to actually get the best out of him.

“We’re not seeing everything of Haaland. City have scored the exact number of goals as last season. He’s got 25 of them but City overall have scored the same number overall.

“However, they’ve conceded more and are easier to counter-attack against now. They are a different – and lesser team – with Haaland in the team.”

Carragher’s assessment attracted plenty of backlash at the time and now Cole has joined his critics, insisting the Liverpool legend was among those claiming Haaland was a revelation at the start of the season.

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Speaking to Best Sports Betting Canada, Cole said: “People like Jamie Carragher say things just to say things. If Erling Haaland continued his form from the start of the season, there would be no question that he made the wrong choice in joining Manchester City.

“Don’t forget, these were the same people that were saying ‘what a revelation Erling Haaland is at Manchester City’. Then he goes through a sticky patch, now the question is if he made the wrong decision.

“How has he made the wrong decision, five or six months into the season, and scored 27 goals in the Premier League? It was not a bad decision for Haaland to join Manchester City three or four months ago.”