Roy Keane has continued his feud with Erling Haaland by sensationally calling the Manchester City star a “spoiled brat”. Four-goal Haaland hit back at Keane on Saturday having been dubbed a “League Two player” by the Manchester United icon.
The City ace struck four goals in City’s 5-1 win over Wolves just weeks after Keane likened his overall performances to a fourth-tier player. Haaland was made aware of the Irishman’s comments after the game.
“I don’t care about that man,” the 23-year-old brutally hit back in an interview with Viaplay.
Keane has now reignited the fiery exchange by labelling Haaland a “spoiled brat”. The striker was furious when he was substituted in the second half against Wolves, although head coach Pep Guardiola insists the Norwegian’s ire was aimed at referee Craig Pawson.
Discussing Mohamed Salah’s well-documented outburst against West Ham last weekend, Keane compared the Egyptian’s spat with Jurgen Klopp with Haaland’s antics.
“We saw Erling Haaland yesterday being brought off, not too happy, behaving like a spoilt brat,” a deadpan Keane said. “But because Man City win the game and he scores goals, it’s almost forgotten about.”
It comes a month after Keane compared Haaland’s general attributes to a League One player. The comments were made after Haaland struggled in City’s goalless draw with Arsenal in March.
“The levels of his general play are so poor. He has to improve that. He is almost like a League Two player,” Keane, whose 2001 tackle on Haaland’s father Alf-Inge contributed to his premature retirement, told Sky Sports.
“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 broke several scoring records in his first Premier League campaign, including bagging 36 goals. But although he leads the scoring charts with 25 this season, the former Borussia Dortmund star has not quite shown the same form.
But the forward is not concerned by his form, saying: “Not bad – 25 goals this season, thanks for that. We keep going. I’ve got a not-too-bad manager who pushes me and look at the players around me. Without them it would not be possible. Look ahead, look to the next one – four finals left for the season [including the FA Cup final]. We’re going to go for it and focus on Fulham.
“First of all it’s about winning the games but of course you want to have the best possible goal difference. Let’s not think about that – think about Fulham.”
