Erling Haaland's father accuses Roy Keane of having an 'agenda' as he hits back at Man Utd legend's 'League Two player' comments about Man City superstar

The Manchester United legend was quick to criticise Haaland's performance in the goalless draw against Arsenal last month, saying his hold up play was "so poor" and at times was like a  "League Two player" - while admitting the 23-year-old was the best in the world in front of goal. Haaland added to his tally during the Cityzens' 5-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday with a well-taken penalty and now the Norwegian's father, Alfe-Inge Haaland, has hit back at Keane, while pointing out the former Borussia Dortmund man is the Premier League's top scorer with 20 goals.

He told Viaplay football: "Then you have the background of Keane and other experts, who may have a slightly different agenda. They probably think it's a bit okay to come up with that (the criticism). But the team wins, and Erling is still top scorer, so it can't have been that bad."

While Haaland could, arguably, improve his all-round game, the 6ft 4in forward is on course to win the golden boot for the second straight season after scoring 52 goals in all competitions in the last campaign. His total of 31 in all competitions this term is still impressive but it seems he is not at the level he was in 2022/23 when City won the treble.

Haaland's father and Keane have a feud that goes back a long way. In 1997, then Leeds United player Alf-Inge accused Keane of diving in the box but the United man had actually torn his ACL. The Irishman swore revenge and four years later he did it when he ended the Norwegian's career with a reckless, knee-high challenge. Keane vowed to never apologise and Alfe-Inge, who was at City at the time of the foul, said he will never forgive him.

Haaland will get another chance to add to his hefty goal tally when City host Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final Champions League tie with Real Madrid at the Etihad on Wednesday.