Roy Keane doubles down on brutal Erling Haaland verdict with fresh Pep Guardiola theory

Roy Keane has doubled down on his recent criticism of Erling Haaland and defended his decision to compare the striker to a League Two player - with Jamie Carragher also agreeing that the forward's general play is not at the required level.

The 23-year-old made the move to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and fired Pep Guardiola's side to a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in his debut season in England, scoring 52 goals.

Life in the Premier League has been slightly tougher for the Norwegian this season though, with Roy Keane comparing his general play to that of a "League Two player" after City's 0-0 draw with Arsenal on March 31.

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And former Manchester United captain Keane has now doubled down on his scathing assessment of Haaland by insisting the striker's general play is "nowhere near good enough" Manchester City's level.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: “I don’t know what the big deal is, I give Erling Haaland praise every week, I give Manchester City praise, and I think he’s an amazing striker.

"But his general play is that of a League Two player. And I’m glad you are not agreeing with me, I don’t expect people to agree with me.

“His general play, week in, week out is nowhere near good enough. As a goal scorer and a striker, the best – and I said that. His link-up play, the way he lays the ball off, sometimes the options he gives his teammates or the options he doesn’t give them – as a striker and a goal scorer the best in the world, but his other play is that of a League Two player.

"