Alf-Inge Haaland has hit back at Roy Keane after the Manchester United legend accused his son of playing like a League Two player.
Man City striker Erling Haaland is currently on course to win the Golden Boot after enjoying a treble-winning debut season at the Etihad.
The 23-year-old has scored 31 goals from 38 appearances this season, with 20 of those coming in the Premier League.
However, Haaland’s performance levels have dipped in recent weeks and the Norwegian striker has been seen miss some glorious chances. The goalless draw with Arsenal will go down as a fixture they could have won if only Haaland had his shooting boots on.
Haaland has been accused of offering very little if he doesn’t score. He is not a striker who will drop deep and help his team-mates out. Instead, they put everything on a plate for him.
Keane, who has a history with Erling’s dad Alf-Inge, offered a scathing assessment of Haaland’s performances by claiming he lacks influence.
“The levels of his general play is so poor and not just today,” Keane told Sky Sports two weeks ago.
“I think laying stuff on, headers, whatever it might be. In terms of in front of goal, he’s the best in the world, btu his general play for such a player is so poor. Not just today, he has to improve.
“He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him. His general play, it has to improve and it will do over the next few years.”
Alf-Inge has now hit back at those comments and accused Keane of having an agenda with his criticism.
Speaking to ViaPlay Football, Alf-Inge said: “Then you have the background of Keane and other experts, who may have a slightly different agenda.
“They probably think it’s a bit okay to come up with that (the criticism), But the team wins, and Erling is still top scorer, so it can’t have been that bad.”
The game Keane was referencing two weeks ago was City vs Arsenal. A game City didn’t win in their quest to win four consecutive Premier League titles, therefore, a missed opportunity.
Keane and Haaland’s feud is well documented after stemming in 1997 when the Irishman was accused of diving despite tearing his ACL. The former United captain warned that he would be back before striking revenge with a premeditated challenge showing studs. The tackle did not end Haaland’s career like some reports suggest.
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