Erling Haaland Father Alfie Haaland has curiously reacted to Roy Keane calling his son a League two player after game with Bournemouth yesterday

Few would have expected Haaland’s father, Alfie, to respond, suggesting that the former Republic of Ireland international is feeding into a narrative.

Speaking to Viaplay Fotball, he said: “Then there’s Keane and other specialists, who may have a somewhat different objective.”

“They presumably believe it’s appropriate to make such critique. But the team wins, and Erling remains the leading scorer, so it couldn’t have been that horrible.”

During the 1990s, Haaland and Keane were at odds, and it was the former Leeds player who got under Roy’s skin after a knee injury began a soon-to-be enmity.

Four years later, during a Manchester derby, Keane raked his studs into Haaland’s leg.

The incident did not lead to his retirement from the professional game, since Keane did not cause the long-term damage to his other knee that forced his career to end. However, City and Haaland briefly considered taking legal action over the occurrence.

Keane confessed in his memoirs some time later that his intentions against his adversary were planned.

Roy Keane and Alfie Haaland struggle for the ball.
Roy Keane and Alfie Haaland struggle for the ball.
“I don’t see what the big problem is; I give Erling Haaland praise every week, as well as Manchester City praise, and I believe he’s a terrific striker,” the Irishman started his harsh critique of Haaland.

“However, his overall performance is that of a League Two player.” And I’m pleased you disagree with me; I don’t expect everyone to agree with me.

“His overall performance, week after week, is far from satisfactory.

“As a goal scorer and striker, the best – I stated so. His link-up play, the way he passes the ball off, the choices he offers or does not give his teammates – as a striker and goal scorer, he is the finest in the world, but his other play is that of a League Two player.”