Erling Haaland and Roy Keane have been involved in a long-running feud, with the Manchester City striker and former Manchester United captain clashing regularly since the former’s move to England
Erling Haaland’s Norway take on England in the World Cup quarter final on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
As England gear up to face Norway in Saturday’s mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final, one name is on everyone’s lips: Erling Haaland. The Manchester City forward has deservedly captured the headlines after scoring seven times in five matches during an outstanding debut World Cup campaign, and if the Three Lions are to book a place in the semi-finals, containing him will be their top priority.
However, the Norwegian’s performances are not the only reason he is making news. Away from the pitch, his long-standing feud with Manchester United legend Roy Keane – who is part of ITV’s tournament coverage – has once again become a major topic of discussion.
The dispute dates back nearly two decades and began with Keane’s notorious revenge tackle on Erling’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, during the Manchester derby in 2001. Ever since, the hostility between the two families has remained an intriguing storyline throughout Erling’s spell at City, repeatedly resurfacing through public comments and renewed controversy.
The saga includes everything from ferocious challenges involving his father to cutting assessments of Erling’s own game. It is a rivalry with a lengthy and eventful history. Here’s a look at the key moments that have shaped this fascinating modern-day feud.
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Keane labels Haaland a ‘spoilt brat’
The verbal sparring resumed near the end of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign after Manchester City’s win over Wolves. Haaland had netted four superb goals but showed clear frustration when Pep Guardiola chose to sub him. His reaction as he left the field drew criticism from television pundits.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, Keane did not hesitate to condemn the striker’s conduct. The former Manchester United skipper strongly criticised Haaland’s behaviour, describing the prolific scorer as a “spoilt brat”. He insisted that acting in such a manner sends the wrong message, regardless of the player’s exceptional ability.
“We saw Erling Haaland yesterday being brought off, not too happy, behaving like a spoilt brat,” he said. “But because Man City win the game and he scores goals, it’s almost forgotten about.”
Roy Keane rarely minces his words when discussing Erling Haaland(Image: Getty Images)
The ‘League Two player’ jab
The ‘spoilt brat’ comment followed another outspoken assessment Keane had made only weeks earlier. After Manchester City and Arsenal played out a hard-fought goalless draw in March, the Irish pundit questioned Haaland’s overall display.
He surprised many viewers by claiming the Norwegian’s all-round game fell well below the standard expected of an elite footballer. “The level of his general play is so poor and not just today,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“I think laying his stuff off, headers, whatever it might be… in terms of in front of goal, he’s the best in the world. But his general play for such a player it is so poor. Not just today, he has to improve.
“He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him. His general play has to improve and it will do over the next few years. Being a brilliant striker is fantastic, but he has to improve his all-round game.”
Those blunt remarks prompted several high-profile figures within football to defend the striker. Guardiola openly rejected Keane’s opinion, insisting that Haaland remained the finest striker in world football.
Haaland: I don’t care
Keane controversially branded Haaland “a League Two player”(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
For several weeks after the “League Two player” criticism, Haaland chose not to respond publicly. That changed after his four-goal display against Wolves, when he was finally asked about Keane’s remarks.
Rather than becoming involved in an extended exchange, the Manchester City striker gave a brief and dismissive answer. Speaking to ViaPlay, Haaland simply stated: “I don’t really care about that man, so that’s all right.”
By brushing aside the criticism so completely, the Norway international made it clear that his attention remained fixed on his football. He showed he had no intention of allowing outside opinions to distract him, even when they came from one of his father’s biggest rivals.
The horrifying tackle on Alfe-Inge
Roy Keane’s horror tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland remains one of the most shocking moments in Premier League history(Image: PA)
The tension between the pair can be traced back to a notorious incident involving Erling’s father, Alf-Inge. In 1997, Alf-Inge stood over Keane after the Irish midfielder went down inside the penalty area during a match between Manchester United and Leeds, accusing him of pretending to be injured in a bid to win a spot kick.
What the Norwegian did not realise was that Keane had actually suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that threatened his career. Four years later, in an emotionally charged Manchester derby, Keane exacted his revenge.
The United captain flew into a shocking knee-high tackle on Alf-Inge, immediately receiving a straight red card. The challenge is still remembered as one of the Premier League’s most notorious and heavily criticised fouls.
Keane later revealed in his autobiography that the tackle had been deliberate. He admitted he had spent years waiting for the opportunity to take revenge on Haaland over what he believed was an accusation of diving.
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