ERLI WARNING

KDB insists misfiring Haaland still has hunger and will blow rivals away again

- GIDEON BROOKS

KEVIN DE BRUYNE insists Erling Haaland will pick up where he left off last season once the serious business gets under way.

The City striker, who scored 54 last season, hardly figured in goals Sunday's Community Shield defeat by Arsenal.

But De Bruyne says the record-breaking hit-man has lost none of his hunger for goals and warned Premier League rivals to expect more of the same once he blows away the cobwebs.

"You can read something into that performance if you like but I'm not worried about Erling in the slightest," said De Bruyne.

"Obviously people want him to score every game but it's pre-season and maybe he needs a little more time to get to match-fitness.

"He will be all right. The expectation is to be the best and if you want to be the best there will be criticism.