Nathan Ake makes Erling Haaland prediction after great start to Man City season

Nathan Ake expects Erling Haaland to at least match his incredible goal tally from last season after a great start to the new campaign.

Manchester City got their third successive Premier League title defence underway on Friday night with an at times shaky but eventually comfortable 3-0 win over newly promoted Burnley. It took Haaland all of four minutes to open his account as he swept home a Rodri header on the volley.

Vincent Kompany's side fought back into the encounter and squandered several decent chances to draw level before the Norwegian sensation ended the contest. Haaland excellently curled the ball into the far corner to put the finishing touch on a sublime passing move from the Blues.

Haaland scored twice on the opening day of last season away at a team in claret and blue in West Ham and after repeating the feat this time around, Ake expects the striker to equal his 52-goal haul of last year. "He has got this drive to do that for sure," he said. "But he will just keep going game by game and I am sure hopefully he can do the same.

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On his goals, Ake added: "That is Erling! It is incredible to see. Tonight the finishes were very good. But also a lot of times he was one v one and to see his strength and how we can use him is perfect for this team.

"We are so happy to have him. Every time he amazes us with the goals he scored and important ones as well.

Haaland himself was very pleased about starting the season with a positive result. He said: "I’m really happy. A good start again and three points. I try to develop because I am still young and 23 years old.

"That’s what I try to focus on. It’s not easy with the long season we have.