What Is the ‘Family’ Beef Between Erling Haaland & Roy Keane? Everything You Got To Know

Let’s take a brief trip down memory lane! Year 1997, Manchester United traveled to Elland to take on Leeds United in a high-voltage affair. Alex Ferguson‘s side was on a roll that season and was expected to be the favorites to win the Premier League title. United icon Roy Keane had established himself as a key player for the Red Devils and had been leading the charge from the front. However, the battle against Leeds was arguably a night he’d want to forget!

The United icon was tightly marked by one Alfie Haaland throughout the game, which saw Leeds pick up a 1-0 win at the final whistle. However, the talking point from the game was the battle between Keane and Haaland. The former United captain tripped and fell following a coming together with Alfie. Subsequently, the former Leeds player stood over the injured Keane, accusing him of faking his agonizing pain. As fate would have it, the Irishman ended up picking an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Four years later, Manchester United was up against local rivals, Manchester City at Maine Road. City during that time were not the heavyweights of today and were the underdogs heading into the game. However, the side has secured the services of one man Keane was all too familiar with, Alfie Haaland. Well, this was a chance for Keane to exact revenge for the incident from 1997, and he did just that.

In what’s regarded as the ‘most horrible tackle’ in English football history, Roy Keane made an appalling tackle on Alfie Haaland, putting him on the shelves for the entire season. To this day, Alfie believes Roy Keane’s tackle cost him his career! Back to the current day, it seems like the feud is still on! Roy Keane recently blasted Alfie’s son Erling Haaland for his recent performance against Arsenal.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand Backs Erling Haaland Despite Arsenal Woes, Slams Roy Keane’s Brutal ‘League Two’ Jibe

Rio Ferdinand defends Erling Haaland after Roy Keane’s ‘League Two’ remark

Former Manchester United captain turned football pundit Roy Keane was less than impressed with Erling Haaland after Manchester City’s goalless draw against Arsenal. Keane, following the game, blasted the City number 9 for his display, claiming his performance was like that of a Division Two striker. For the unversed, Division Two is the fourth tier of English soccer.

Rio Ferdinand commented on Roy Keane’s comments ahead of City’s game against Crystal Palace. The United icon stated, “I think Roy Keane’s got a bit of history with the family. So I can’t take in too much of what he’s said. I know Division Two is a bit farfetched. But this guy wasn’t brought here to play link-up play and serve as a playmaker. He has been brought here to finish those chances created by the playmakers.”

Does it seem like Roy Keane has yet to let go of his decades-old beef with the Haalands? Do you think the Irishman’s comments on Erling Haaland have something to do with his feud with Alfie Haaland? Let us know in the comments below.

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