Roy Keane has slammed Erling Haaland’s recent performances after Manchester City’s goalless draw with Arsenal, comparing his general play to that of a ‘League Two player’.
City and Arsenal fought out a tame stalemate at the Etihad on Easter Sunday, with Liverpool’s win over Brighton earlier in the day sending them top and handing them the advantage in the Premier League title race.
Haaland had a quiet game but missed a great chance in the 83rd minute after a corner kick.
The Norwegian failed to connect with the ball, prompting co-commentator Gary Neville to remark he ‘looked like someone who had never played football before for a few seconds’.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was even more scathing in his assessment of Haaland’s afternoon, insisting last season’s top scorer must improve his general play quickly.
‘The levels of his general play are so poor,’ Keane told Sky Sports.
‘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.
‘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 scored 52 goals in 53 appearances in a stunning first season at City last term. The 23-year-old has hit 29 in 35 this campaign.
Sunday’s draw leaves City third in the table, a point behind Arsenal and three behind Liverpool with nine games of the season remaining.
