United icon Keane rages
Harsh criticism rains down on “poor” Haaland
April 1, 2024, 1:49 p.m
Erling Haaland is considered one of the best strikers in the world, but Roy Keane lashes out at the Manchester City attacker after the goalless draw against Arsenal. For the ex-professional, the Norwegian plays “like a fourth division player” and definitely needs to improve in one area.
The former world-class player Roy Keane was once known for his hard tackles, and Alf-Inge Haaland can also tell a song about it. Now the Irishman, now a TV expert on Sky Sports, has attacked his son Erling – albeit verbally. “The level of his game is so poor. Not just today,” complained Keane after the top game in the Premier League between Manchester City and Arsenal (0:0). “He’s the best in the world in front of goal,” said Keane, “but his general game is poor for such a player. He needs to improve there. He’s almost like a League Two player. Red.) That’s how I see him.”
Basically, Haaland is a “brilliant, fantastic striker,” added Keane. But he has to continue to work hard on himself and will certainly improve his weaknesses “in the next few years,” said the 52-year-old.
History of Keane and Haaland’s father
In fact, City attacker Haaland was signed off by Arsenal’s defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel – although he also received few passes from his teammates and the otherwise strong Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden also remained weak against the best defense in the English top league. Haaland remained without a goal in the last five competitive games for Manchester and Norway, and he has only scored once in the last four Premier League games. After the striker set a new goalscoring record in the English top flight last season (36 goals), he scored 14 goals in the first 15 games this season. He is currently leading the top scorer rankings with 18 goals in 24 games, ahead of Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) and Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) with 16 goals each.
Keane and the Haaland family have a special story in common: the former Manchester United captain once committed a bad foul on then City professional Alf-Inge Haaland. He had described him as an actor after a game four years earlier when Keane tore his cruciate ligament while tackling Haaland.