Man City star Erling Haaland instantly responds to Roy Keane U-turn after two-word verdict

Manchester United icon Roy Keane has not always been the biggest admirer of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, despite his superb goal-scoring record.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hailed Erling Haaland as a "top player" after previously slamming the Manchester City star for a past performance against Arsenal.

All the way back in the 2023/2024 season, Keane made his feelings clear on Haaland in an explosive rant after a goalless draw between the Blues and the Gunners - that time held at the Etihad Stadium. A disappointed Keane described the Norway goal machine as a 'League Two' player as he let rip on the striker.

"The level of his [Haaland] general play is so poor - and it's not just today," Keane told Sky Sports in March 2024. "He's laying stuff off, headers or whatever it might be.

"In front of goal, he's the best in the world, but for his general play for such a player, it is so poor. Not just today.

"He has to improve that. He's almost like a League Two player - that's the way I look at him.

"His general play has to improve. It will do over the next few years.

"Brilliant striker, but he has to improve his overall game. [He] has to."

Unsurprisingly, Keane has now changed his tune on Haaland, while he appears to see the Norwegian as a more complete striker than previously. Speaking ahead of the same two teams meeting at the Emirates Stadium, this afternoon, the former United captain was full of praise for the centre forward.

"Yeah he looks sharp. He's the best in the business isn't he?" Keane glowed on Sky Sports.

"I'm sure that he must be glad to have Phil Foden coming back into good form, because he gave him an assist the other night in the European game that not many players would have been able to do. So, you know he is going to get decent service.

"He looks lean and he looks hungry and things are obviously going well for him at international level, as well. He obviously still needs that little bit of service.

"You want these lads to turn up for the big games and that's what he tends to do. He has a big, big say today in how the game goes.

"Top player." Before the trip to Arsenal, Haaland has managed to bag six goals in five appearances for City.

Inside the opening ten minutes the Norwegian in turn managed to make it seven goals from six appearances as a blistering counter-attack tore Arsenal wide open - and Haaland smartly fired home.

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