Football punditry was set ablaze this weekend as Roy Keane delivered one of his most brutally honest verdicts to date, taking aim at Manchester City's prolific striker Erling Haaland.
The Manchester United icon didn't hold back in his post-match analysis on Sky Sports following City's tense 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Keane shockingly compared the Norwegian goal machine's general play to that of a 'League Two player', sending shockwaves through the football world.
A Scathing Assessment of the Superstar
While acknowledging Haaland's world-class finishing abilities, Keane launched a surprising critique of the striker's overall contribution to the game. "The levels of his general play is so poor, and not just today," Keane stated. "In terms of front of goal, he's the best in the world, but his general play for such a player is so poor."
The former midfielder expanded on his controversial take, suggesting that Haaland's link-up play and involvement in build-up fails to meet the elite standards expected at a club like Manchester City. This criticism comes despite Haaland having netted an incredible 29 goals across all competitions this season.
Micah Richards Fiercely Defends Haaland
Unsurprisingly, Keane's co-pundit Micah Richards immediately leapt to the defence of the young striker. The debate turned heated as Richards challenged Keane's assessment, pointing to Haaland's phenomenal goal record and overall impact on City's attacking play.
"He's almost like a League Two player," Keane doubled down, a comment that left Richards and viewers stunned. The exchange highlighted the growing divide between traditional assessments of striker play and the modern metrics that celebrate Haaland's unique goal-poaching talents.
The Context: A Frustrating Day at the Office
The criticism followed a particularly frustrating match for Haaland, who was largely kept quiet by Arsenal's resilient centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. The goalless draw saw Liverpool benefit most from the result, taking top spot in the Premier League table as the title race intensifies.
Despite the criticism, Manchester City fans will be hoping their number nine uses Keane's words as fuel for the final crucial weeks of the season, as Pep Guardiola's side continues their pursuit of an unprecedented second consecutive treble.
