Manchester City star Erling Haaland has lambasted his team-mates after a ‘catastrophic’ and ‘horrific season’.
The 24-year-old has endured an inconsistent season, similar to his teammates, but has still managed 21 Premier League goals, which is not a figure to be sniffed at.
Despite this, City are facing a potential disaster as they still remain in a shootout for a Champions League spot, a situation no one envisioned at the start of the season.
They still have the chance at silverware, however, with an FA Cup final clash against Crystal Palace coming up this weekend - and City are the clear favourites.
Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol against Nottingham Forest sent Manchester City through to the FA Cup final
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Speaking to BBC Sport, Haaland claims it ‘says it all’ that, despite their challenging campaign, they still have a shot at silverware. He does, however, still look on the season with not-so fond emotions.
“This season has been tough, it is not nice to lose so many games. It is boring and not fun. That's why we need to finish well.
“We have the FA Cup final to play for and in a horrific season we still managed to do this, that says it all.
“It hasn't been good enough. We haven't been there fighting in the Premier League, the Champions League and that's not good enough for a club like City. You should be there and you should compete.”
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The returning Haaland was unable to help Manchester City overcome Southampton
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The comments come after City’s shock 0-0 draw against Southampton at the weekend, where Haaland made his return from an ankle injury, playing the full game but failing to make an impact.
To put it into context, the point for Southampton ensured they were not statistically worst team in Premier League history - but were still able to keep a clean sheet against the Cityzens.
The Norwegian claimed that City haven’t been running enough this season, and have lacked enough ‘spirit’ to mount a challenge domestically or continentally.
"I don't know the answers to be honest, but sometimes you just need to run. You have to run more. We haven't run enough this season”, Haaland continued.
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“You have to run more, you have to perform better, you have to be more stable as a team. You have to be more, find the spirit.
“Every single one of us hasn't been good enough and we haven't been at our best, so when you are not at your best you aren't going to win games in this country because it's so hard.”
When asked if an FA Cup victory would save the season, he responded: “For me it would help. That's what I want. That's why I'm here. So it would help, definitely.
“But again, the standards these guys have been putting up, maybe for them it doesn't mean anything because they put the standard so high. But for me it would help, definitely.
Erling Haaland has managed 21 Premier League goals, despite a 'catastrophic' campaign
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“When you have won four league titles in a row, if you don't win five it's not going to be a successful season.
“The bar is so high that this season is a catastrophic season that just says it all. Next season we have to find something inside our stomach again to attack the season.”
City are one of the many big teams that have not lived up to expectation this season for a variety of reasons. They, like many others, will be looking to strengthen significantly in the summer.
What is also certain; Champions League football is pivotal to Manchester City.
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Players like Haaland will not want to be playing their football in the Europa League, and results such as the Southampton draw are not doing their chances any favours, with Aston Villa and Chelsea hot on their tail.
He will be hoping to find consistency in front of goal, despite the loss of Kevin De Bruyne, along with his teammates, as they will look to regain their form next campaign.
