Alan Shearer explains what Erling Haaland can do to improve his game at Man City next season

Alan Shearer believes Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland needs to improve his link-up play after a dominant debut season in England.

Haaland arrived from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and has settled into life at City superbly. Prior to the FA Cup final the Norwegian had scored 52 goals in all competitions.

His tally included a whopping 36 in the Premier League. Haaland's record in the top flight meant he became the record holder for the most goals scored in a single season, beating Shearer's record of 34.

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While the Newcastle legend is a big fan of the 22-year-old, there is one aspect of his game that Shearer thinks can be improved. He told BBC Sport ahead of the FA Cup final: "I wasn’t one of those [that doubted him], I knew and the vast majority of people knew that he would score goals, and a lot of goals, in this team.

"Yes, it might have taken a little bit of time for him to suss his teammates out and for his teammates to suss him out. I spoke to him halfway through the season and he was still moaning and groaning about not a lot of early balls coming in despite the amount of goals that he was scoring, and I think if that happens today [against Manchester United in the FA Cup final], Kevin De Bruyne puts that ball in today, no thinking about it, no pass out to the side, it goes in for him.

"52 goals, he is sensational, and he is only going to get better. He’s only 22 years of age, we’ve seen all the great things about him - and there are many things.

"If we’re gonna get picky the one thing I would say is perhaps his link-up play or his hold-up play when that ball goes into him, to bring other people into the game. Once or twice - and I am being picky - his