ERLING HAALAND “owns” Roy Keane after he brutally hit back at the Irishman’s “League Two level” jibe.
The Norwegian hitman scored FOUR as Man City thrashed Wolves 5-1 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to a point.
That took the 23-year-old’s tally to 36 goals in 41 appearances this season.
However, despite his incredible record since his arrival at the Etihad, he endured an iffy spell by his own standards recently.
And after he suffered a quiet afternoon in the 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal, he was left kicking himself for spurning a late chance to win after failing to connect with the ball.
Manchester United legend Keane, who infamously hurt Haaland’s father with a horror tackle during his playing days, was covering that game for Sky Sports.
He insisted that the ex-Dortmund forward must improve his general play.
Keane said: “The levels of his general play are 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.”
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Haaland was asked about Keane’s comments after his performance against Wolves.
But he bluntly replied to Viaplay: “I don’t care about that man.”
Fans were quick to react on X, with one claiming that he “owns” Keane.
Another said: “No better response than this.”
A third commented: “Best striker in the world! Roy Keane needs to get his head down.”
While a fourth said: “Lmaoo owning Man U legend and man united is too easy for him.”
Keane hit Haaland’s dad Alfie with a horrific challenge in 2001 in a Manchester derby.
He later revealed in his book that it was an act of retribution.
He says Haaland had accused him of feigning injury four years earlier while he was down in agony after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.
Julian Alvarez grabbed City’s fifth after Haaland was taken off.
And after reaching 25 goals in the Premier League for the season, he was a lot more talkative when speaking to Sky Sports.
He said: “‘Not bad, 25 goals this season. Thanks for that. We keep going.
“I’ve got a not-so-bad manager who pushes me and look at the players around me, without them it would not be possible.
“I try to develop every day, I had some problems but let’s not focus on them, focus on the positive things.”
By Lee Scott
PHIL FODEN ran away with the voting for Footballer of the Year – and it’s easy to see why.
Foden has been transformed into Man City’s new David Silva and England’s Euro 2024 swiss army knife.
Initially used sparingly by Pep Guardiola, the Stockport technician has become a key player for City.
Foden’s his tactical intelligence and game understanding make him stand out week in, week out – even in City’s team of expensively-assembled superstars.
From playing the final pass and running between the lines to leading the press, Foden really can do it all.
Click here to read our tactical analysis of the Premier League’s best player.
