League Two digs, Alf-Inge’s answer

Roy Keane’s comments about Erling Haaland have now prompted a response from the Manchester City striker.

Keane first remarked on Haaland after the goalless draw with Arsenal in March. The Manchester United legend referred to Haaland as a “League Two player”, generating plenty of headlines in the weeks since he made the comments.

Haaland scored four goals for City in their 5-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday. After the game, Haaland was asked about Keane’s “League Two player” comments in an interview with Norwegian station Viaplay.

“I don’t care that much about that man, so that’s fine,” Haaland said in response to a question about Keane’s earlier remarks.

MEN Sports takes a look at the growing feud between Keane and Haaland, including the ‘League Two’ players’ infamous comments and more.

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31 March 2024 – after Man City 0-0 Arsenal

“In front of goal, he’s the best in the world, but his overall game for a player like that – it’s so poor,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Not just today. They need to improve that.

“He’s almost like a League 2 player – that’s how I look at him. His overall game has to improve. He’s going to improve over the next few years. (He’s a brilliant striker but he needs to improve his overall game.”

April 3 – Pep Guardiola enters

“I don’t agree with him, absolutely not. Is he 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. The reason we didn’t create many chances (vs Arsenal) wasn’t Erling, it’s because we need more presence in the last third with more people.

“We had an exceptional game, we reviewed the game against Arsenal, but we missed more people in the final third, maybe because of the quality and skill we have. Erling is exceptional.

“I’m surprised that this came from a former player. From journalists, I can understand, I’ve never been on the pitch, but former players are always a surprise. It’s like referees when they retire criticize the referees.

“How difficult is that business for the players? It always amazes me. Their memory fades quickly. The problems the players have, they’ve had. They’ve missed a thousand, millions of times and they’ve been hurt when they’ve been criticized by former players.

“But today is what it is. We have to accept it and move forward. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I’m not going to criticize my colleagues in retirement. “That should be it, it should be be it, I could do that’—I could do it now and I don’t But everybody’s got to live for something.

“The players have to accept it, that’s the thing. If you don’t want to accept it, you have to do another job. When you’re this public figure, you have to accept it.”

11 April – The Stick to Football Podcast for Sky Bet

“I don’t know what the big deal is, he praises Erling Haaland every week, he praises Manchester City and I think he’s an amazing striker,” Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast.

“But his overall game is that of a League 2 player. And I’m glad you don’t agree with me, I don’t expect people to agree with me.

“His overall game, week in and week out, is not good enough. As a scorer and striker, the best – and I said it. His link-up play, the way he places the ball, sometimes the options he gives his teammates or the options he doesn’t – as the best striker and goalscorer in the world, but the other game is that of a League Two player.

“The game against Arsenal was tough because they did well in the limit the whole game, but overall I don’t think what I said was a big deal.

“He’s a young player and he’s going to improve and I guarantee you Pep Guardiola is standing with his staff and saying he needs to do more, especially when he’s not getting chances or many goals.”

April 11 – Alf-Inge Haaland responds

Keane’s comments prompted Erling’s father Alf-Inge to step in. The former City midfielder had his own encounter with Keane during his playing days, injury and injury which ultimately ended his career during a Manchester derby following a horrific attack by the former. Captain United.

Haaland Snr said ViaPlay football: “Then you have Keane’s background and other pundits, who may have a slightly different agenda. They probably think it’s a little bit okay to come up with that (criticism). But the team is winning and Erling is still a goalscorer, so it can’t be so bad.”

April 28 – after Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City

“He was very much like a Championship player, he improved a lot,” Keane said on Sky Sports. “As far as a goalscorer goes, he’s absolutely amazing, there’s no doubting his quality in terms of his finishing.

“When he comes on he’ll want to have an impact on the game and when he’s stretched like that, he’ll have the likes of (Kevin) De Bruyne, he’ll find you and then it’s just that bit of sharpness that he’s shown.”

May 4 – after Man City 5-1 Wolves

“I don’t care that much about that man, so it’s fine,” Haaland told Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay.