'He's the best of the best!' - Erling Haaland 'bad season' claims prompt perplexed Ruud van Nistelrooy to launch fierce defence of 'class' Man City striker

Leicester face City in the Premier League in midweek and Foxes boss Van Nistelrooy was quizzed about the Norway star's form. The journalist in question claimed Haaland was having a "difficult season" but the former Manchester United striker has rubbished any concerns about the 24-year-old.

Indeed, Haaland has scored 30 goals in 40 games in all competitions, although his season has been curtailed by an ankle injury that is set to rule him out for seven weeks. Throughout his time at the Etihad, he has netted 120 goals in 138 games, and Van Nistelrooy, as a former striker himself, has launched an intense defence of the ace.

The former United hitman told reporters: "How many goals did he score so far this season? Yesterday he scored his 30th. Come on. This is what I mean? 30 goals - he's the best striker in the league. He's proven it. He's won everything possible. He's a class act. He's the best of the best. He has an A mindset, A quality and will continue with that for many more years.

"He has signed an extremely long contract and is one City is building around. When you have a guy like that in the building and you're keeping him, you have a guarantee for 30 goals and apparently it's a bad season. Imagine when he starts to play well - he'll score 60 or 70! He's a pillar in City's current team and in their future, so nothing but praise for him from my side."

City will face Leicester without Haaland and will then play Manchester United this weekend. Omar Marmoush, who has scored five goals in 11 games since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January, is in line to replace him.