We don't criticize Erling Haaland! Former Manchester United defensive midfielder Roy Keane, consultant for Sky Sports in England, nevertheless allowed himself to do so after the Norwegian goleador's lackluster performance during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal this Sunday (0-0 ). “His overall game is so bad, and not just today. I think he needs to improve that, he's almost like a League Two (4th English division) player,” the Irishman told Sky Sports.
These comments angered Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City. “I don’t agree with him, absolutely not. It's like me saying he's a second or third division manager. The missed opportunities, they (the consultants) missed them a billion times and were hurt when they were criticized by former players,” he growled at a press conference. As a reminder, Roy Keane managed Sunderland (2006-2008), then Ipswich (2009-2011) before becoming assistant coach of the Irish selection (2013-2018), then Nottingham Forrest (2019).
Even though he hasn't scored in three games, Erling Haaland has already scored 29 goals and 6 assists in all competitions since the start of the season. He ranks first in the Premier League scorers' rankings with 19 goals.
“He is the best striker in the world and he helped us win (the treble) last season,” adds Guardiola. The reason we don't create many chances is not because of Erling. » Third in the Premier League three lengths behind Liverpool, the Citizens, who face Aston Villa this Wednesday evening (9:15 p.m.) for the 30th day, no longer have any room for error if they want to retain their title. champion of England.