Manchester United icon Roy Keane has seemingly changed his tune on Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland. Previously, Keane wasn’t shy about criticizing Haaland, likening his performance to a player from England’s lower leagues after a lackluster match. However, Haaland’s recent return from injury and a vital goal against Nottingham Forest appear to have softened Keane’s stance.
Keane’s initial criticism came after a goalless draw for City against Arsenal, where Haaland struggled to connect with the team. But following Haaland’s impactful substitute appearance and goal against Forest, Keane acknowledged he might have been too quick to judge the 23-year-old Norwegian.
“He’s like a Championship player now, a big improvement! As a finisher, he’s absolutely world-class, his scoring is undeniable,” Keane conceded, according to the Daily Mirror. Keane went on to praise Haaland’s hunger to prove himself, especially when receiving quality service from teammates like Kevin De Bruyne.
This shift in Keane’s perspective suggests he may be starting to recognize Haaland’s overall value beyond just pure goalscoring.