by Roy Keane has now received comments about Erling Haaland from the Manchester City striker.
Keane first commented on Haaland after the goalless draw with Arsenal in March. The Manchester United legend referred to Haaland as a “League Two player”, which has generated plenty of headlines in the weeks since he made the comments.
Haaland scored four goals for City in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League. After the game, Haaland was asked about Keane’s ‘League Two player’ views in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay.
“I don’t care that much about that guy, so it’s fine,” Haaland said in response to a question about Keane’s previous comments.
Sportsman He looks at the growing feud between Keane and Haaland, including the infamous ‘League Two Player’ comments and more.
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March 31, 2024 – after Man City 0-0 Arsenal
“In front of goal he’s the best in the world, but his general play for a player like that – it’s so poor,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Not just today. He has to improve that.
“He’s almost like a Tier Two player – that’s the way I look at him. He’s got to improve his general play. He’ll do that over the next few years. [He’s a] great striker but needs to improve his overall game.”
April 3 – Pep Guardiola enters
“I don’t agree with him, not true. He’s a manager for the second or third league? I don’t think so,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s game against Aston Villa. “He’s the best striker in the world and he helped us win what we won last season. It’s because we didn’t create many chances [vs Arsenal] Erling was not, it is that we need a presence in the final third with more people.
“We played an exceptional game, I reviewed the game against Arsenal, but we lost more people in the final third maybe because of the quality and skills we have. Erling is exceptional.
“I’m surprised this came from a former player. From journalists, I understand, who have never been on the field but ex-players are always surprised. It’s like the referees when they retire and criticize the referees.
“How hard is that business for the players? It always amazes me. Their memory fades quickly. The problems the players have, they had. They lost a thousand, a million times and they were injured when they were criticized by the former players.
“But today is what it is. We have to accept it and move on. I don’t know what will happen in the future but I’m not going to criticize my colleagues when I retire. ‘This should be , I should be able to do that’ – I could do it now and I don’t But everyone has to live on something.
“Players have to accept it, it’s the job. If you don’t want to accept it you have to do another job. When you have this public persona you have to accept it.”
11 April – Stick to Football Podcast for Sky Bet
“I don’t know what the big deal is, I praise Erling Haaland every week, I praise Manchester City, and I think he’s a great striker,” Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast.
“But his general play is that of a Tier Two player. And I’m glad you don’t agree with me, I don’t expect people to agree with me.
“His general play, week in and week out, is not good enough. As a goalscorer and striker, better – and I said that. His link-up play, the way he passes the ball, sometimes the options he gives his team-mates or the options he doesn’t give them – as a striker and the best goalscorer in the world, but his other play is that of a player Series Two.
“The game against Arsenal was tough because they did well to contain the whole game, but in general, I don’t think I said much.
“He is a young player and he will improve, and I promise you that Pep Guardiola sits with his team on everything and says that he has to do more, especially when he is not getting chances or many goals.”
April 11 – Alf-Inge Haaland replies
Keane’s comments caused Erling’s dad, Alf-Inge, to step in. Captain United.
Haaland Snr said ViaPlay football: “Then you have Keane’s background and other experts, who may have a slightly different agenda. They probably think it’s a bit okay to come up with that (the criticism). But the team wins, and Erling is still a leading scorer, so it can’t be that bad.”
April 28 – after Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City
“He was very much like a player in the Championship, he has improved a lot,” Keane said on Sky Sports. “In terms of a goalscorer he’s absolutely fantastic, there’s no doubting his quality in his finishing.
“When he’s coming on he’s going to want to have an impact on the game and when he’s extended so there’s people like [Kevin] De Bruyne, he’s going to find you and then it’s just that bit of sharpness that he showed.”
May 4 – after Man City 5-1 Wolves
“I don’t care that much about that guy, so it’s OK,” Haaland told Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay
