Roy Keane makes dramatic Erling Haaland U-turn before Man City star responds perfectly

Manchester United icon Roy Keane has performed a stunning U-turn on Erling Haaland, now describing the Manchester City striker as a "top player" after previously delivering a scathing assessment of the Norwegian's abilities. Cast your mind back to the 2023/2024 season - when Keane unleashed a blistering critique of Haaland following a drab stalemate between City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

The former United captain didn't mince his words at that time, brutally comparing the prolific City goal-scorer to a lower-league footballer. "The level of his [Haaland] general play is so poor - and it's not just today," Keane declared on Sky Sports back 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.

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"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."

However, the no-nonsense pundit has now completely reversed his stance on Haaland, appearing to view the Norway star as a far more accomplished all-round performer. Speaking before the same two teams met, at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the ex-United skipper was singing the striker's praises.

"Yeah he looks sharp. He's the best in the business isn't he?" Keane beamed 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." Prior to the clash with Arsenal, Haaland had netted six goals across five outings for City.

Within the first ten minutes, the Norwegian striker duly made it seven strikes from six matches as a devastating breakaway ripped Arsenal apart - with Haaland coolly slotting home.

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