Neville draws jaw-dropping Haaland comparison with Ronaldo and Rooney

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 2 min read

Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a mix of three of the most devastating forwards of the modern era.

Haaland is up to an astonishing 50 goals in his debut season with Man City and is recognised as the most potent attacker in the world game presently.

The Norway international’s goals have been vital in firing Pep Guardiola’s side back into Premier League title contention and ahead of a clash against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, Neville spoke in glowing terms of the forward.

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Neville played against some of the finest forwards of his generation at Manchester United and says that Haaland is like a combination of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Red Devils summer transfer target Harry Kane.

“He is a battering ram of a centre-forward with a brilliant finish and is something really special. If you are watching him play, you are watching something unique. It's the same with Kevin De Bruyne, he is unique. But Haaland is truly unique,” he explained on the Gary Neville podcast.

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“Haaland has got the finishing of Harry Kane, the power of Wayne Rooney, he is unbelievable. Even the Brazilian Ronaldo, the power that he had when he ran, the explosion off the mark. Haaland is like four players in one.

“He's a player that very rarely graces this league, they are normally at Barcelona or Real Madrid. In time gone by, maybe they would be at PSG. But very rarely do we have a player who would be considered in the top couple in the world as they arrive.”

Neville’s Premier League title race prediction

Despite the presence of Haaland, Neville does not see the Premier League title as inevitably heading to Man City.

“I think Manchester City will win the league,” he said. “Still, things can happen. We have seen where a powerful team goes in front but then struggle, like Arsenal have had in the last few weeks.

“Arsenal have got to keep going, it's about keeping teams honest at this time of the year. I use that phrase a lot with four or five games to go.”

The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the Premier League table, having played two matches more than Man City.