'Erling Haaland is like a League Two player' - Roy Keane

Cameron Smith

• 31 Mar 2024 20:33 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has compared Manchester City forward Erling Haaland to a League Two player following his performance against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Norway international failed to muster a shot on target during Man City’s 0-0 draw versus their Premier League title rivals and he was masterfully nullified by Arsenal’s centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

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Chances were few and far between for Haaland, but he did make a huge error in the dying embers of the game when he completely missed the ball following a Josko Gvardiol headed knockdown, with only David Raya in his way.

Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 games during his debut season at Man City and he has found the back of the net 29 times in 35 matches this campaign. However, Keane believes that his all-round game is not up to scratch.

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What has Roy Keane said?

Keane was on Sky Sports’ punditry team for the crunch game at the Etihad Stadium and he was quick to criticise Haaland following his performance.

“The levels of his general play are so poor,’ the former Man Utd midfielder said after the match.

“Not just today, laying stuff off, headers, whatever it might be… in front of goal he is the best in the world but his general play for such a player is so poor.

Keane continued: “He has to improve that. He is almost like a League Two player.

‘His general play has to improve but it will over the next couple of years. He’s a brilliant striker but he has to improve his all-round game.”

Haaland remains the Premier League’s top goal-scorer this season (with 18 goals), although his blank against Arsenal was the first time in which he’s failed to score or assist in three consecutive Man City matches since September.