Haaland Erupts After Quiet Spell
Erling Haaland emphatically silenced Roy Keane his critics with a dominant performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring four goals in Manchester City’s 5-1 thrashing. This impressive display propelled City to within a single point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The 23-year-old Norwegian striker has amassed a remarkable 36 goals in just 41 appearances this season. However, he recently endured a dip in form, highlighted by a frustrating performance and a missed late chance in the goalless home draw against Arsenal last month.
Keane’s Criticism Backfires Spectacularly
Manchester United legend Roy Keane, infamous for his rough tackle on Haaland’s father Alf-Inge Haaland during their playing days, was a pundit for Sky Sports during the Arsenal match. He seized the opportunity to critique Haaland’s overall playas reported by Sports Buddy.
The Man Utd Legend remarked, “His overall performance level is concerning. He absolutely must improve. Frankly, his playmaking sometimes resembles that of a League Two player. While his finishing is undeniable, his overall game needs refinement. He has a few years to develop that aspect, but he’s a phenomenal striker nonetheless.”
The “League Two” remark sparked controversy, particularly considering Haaland’s record-breaking goal tally from the previous season. Keane himself later admitted he might have been overly critical, jokingly revising his assessment to “Championship level.”
Haaland Responds with Goals and Indifference
Following his dominant performance against Wolves, Haaland was finally given the chance to address Keane’s comments. He offered a curt response in a post-match interview with Viaplay: “That individual doesn’t register on my radar.”
Fans on social media reacted swiftly, with many praising Haaland for “owning” Keane. Comments like “No better response than this,” “Best striker in the world! Roy Keane needs to chill,” and “He’s making child’s play of owning both Keane and Manchester United” flooded social media platforms.
The history between the Haaland and Keane families adds another layer to the story. The former Manchester United midfielder horror tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland in a 2001 Manchester derby was later revealed in his autobiography to be a deliberate act of retribution for an earlier incident where Haaland allegedly accused Keane of feigning injury.
Haaland More Talkative After Reaching Scoring Milestone
Haaland, having reached the 25-goal mark in the Premier League this season, was more forthcoming when speaking to Sky Sports after the match.
“Not a bad haul, 25 goals this season. Thanks for that [acknowledging the milestone]. We keep pushing forward. I’m fortunate to have a fantastic manager who constantly motivates me, and the talent around me is incredible. Without them, none of this would be possible. I strive to improve every day. We had some challenges, but let’s focus on the positive aspects.”