Manchester City hero Fernandinho says Erling Haaland was the striker they needed.

Fernandinho is now with Athletico Paranaense and spoke to AS ahead of the Copa Libertadores.

He said, "Whenever I can I try to watch their matches. If I have the opportunity, I also talk to my former teammates because my departure was very recent (last summer).

"City continues to play the same football. Keep fighting for the Premier and the Champions League. Many people who are fans of this sport are still delighted with the way they play, with the players, with Pep (Guardiola). I am no different from those people and I continue to support them from here in Brazil."

On Haaland, the midfielder added, "I think that City bought him because he has an incredible quality to score goals. Haaland is a player the team needed."