Haaland can destroy Shearer's Premier League goal record

Author and football journalist Paul McCarthy believes Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record.

Haaland, 22, has made a sensational start to life in England, netting 11 times in his first seven league outings.

The speed at which the former Borussia Dortmund ace has adjusted to the English top flight has led many to believe Shearer’s record of 260 goals could be in the Norwegian's sights during his time with the Citizens.

That is certainly the opinion of McCarthy, who exclusively told LiveScore: "I loved watching Alan Shearer. I saw every one of his debuts.

"I saw his debut for Southampton when he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal, his debut for Blackburn when he scored twice, his Newcastle debut and his England one when he scored twice against France.

"He and Andy Cole are the greatest goalscorers the Premier League has had. I think Haaland will destroy both those records.

"I would say Haaland will get 40 goals this season and probably next season and the season after."

Blue moon rising

McCarthy has released his first book, Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League, which is a continuation of the BBC TV series that looked at the birth of England’s top flight and its most iconic moments.

The former News of the World and Express reporter is astonished at City’s renaissance since their ownership change in 2008 and admitted their capture of Haaland could be the most significant in Premier League history.

He added: "The time in which the book is based, Manchester City didn’t even register. Now they’re just incredible. 

"I’m the executive chairman of the Football Writers' Association and we may as well have our Footballer of the Year trophy engraved with Erling Haaland’s name now.

"You talk about transformation in the Premier League and those pivotal moments, I don’t think I’ve been as excited at a signing in the Premier League as I have been with Haaland.

"You’re buying a player not at the peak of his powers but you would expect him to be that during his time at Manchester City.

"I think it’s the greatest A-list signing that the Premier League has ever made."

Signs of hope for United

Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions host rivals Manchester United on Sunday as overwhelming favourites once again.

The Red Devils have fallen on harder times since their dominant years in the Premier League under Alex Ferguson, with current boss Erik ten Hag their fifth permanent manager since the legendary Scot retired in 2013.

There are hopes that things may be turning around under the Dutch boss with United currently enjoying a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

McCarthy added: "There are very, very small signs. But it’s like trying to turn round an oil tanker.

"They’ve been heading in the wrong direction ever since 2013 when Sir Alex retired. 

"I think Ten Hag is beginning to turn things around. I see very small signs but they are still light years behind City, light years behind Liverpool.

"Arsenal are showing true signs of resurrection and I think Tottenham are far more on the right track than Manchester United.

"If Ten Hag is given time, which no United manager has had since Sir Alex, they could be on the right track.

"I hope they turn it around. The Premier League needs Manchester United to be great again."

North London derby battle

In a blockbuster Premier League weekend, leaders Arsenal welcome third-placed Tottenham in the North London derby at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime.

Strong starts to the season have led some to suggest both sides could be surprise title contenders this term, a sentiment McCarthy is yet to be convinced on.

He said: "No, neither are contenders for the title. Manchester City will win the title ahead of them. Are they contenders for the top four? 100%. 

"Depending on whether Liverpool get themselves in gear, there is every chance Arsenal could finish runners-up to Manchester City this season.

"There’s a strength in tactics about Arsenal that has been missing for the last few years. They haven’t got superstars but they’ve got everyone playing together.

"[Mikel] Arteta is beginning to do what Guardiola has done at City, he’s got everyone understanding what their role in the team is. 

"Arsenal are on the up but I think Spurs are too. When they click they are very exciting.

"Antonio Conte still has a battle convincing people on the way he wants to play but he has won over Daniel Levy, which is a massive step in the right direction for Tottenham fans.

"I’m looking forward to the North London derby much more than the Manchester derby because I think it will be more competitive."

Fever Pitch

McCarthy has taken a deep dive into the Premier League’s defining years since its inception in 1992 and the 12 years that followed in his new book.

On what readers can expect, McCarthy explained: "There’s a lot more depth [than the BBC series]. Television by its very nature only gives soundbites. 

"There was so much filmed that didn’t see the light of day and was left on the cutting room floor.

"There’s exclusive transcripts with the likes of David Beckham and Eric Cantona. Just a huge amount of content that wasn’t used.

"But we wanted to go a little further with things as well. For example, how does a club like Leeds go from challenging at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League semi-final to disappearing off a cliff financially 18 months later?

"There’s more quirky stuff like Wimbledon in the 90s, their move to Selhurst Park, the selling of Plough Lane and their dalliance with Dublin.

"Those stories didn’t merit a place on the TV series, understandably, they are not massive milestones in Premier League but merited more of an investigation."

Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League by Paul McCarthy is available to buy now via Little, Brown.