Pep Guardiola responded to Roy Keane's criticism of Erling Haaland by defending the Norwegian striker as the best in the world. Keane had remarked that Haaland's performance against Arsenal resembled that of a League Two player, citing his limited involvement in the game with just 23 touches.
Guardiola refuted Keane's assessment, asserting that Haaland was not at fault for the lack of goal-scoring opportunities in the match. He emphasized Haaland's pivotal role in City's success last season, where he scored 52 goals in 53 games during their treble-winning campaign.
The Manchester City manager expressed surprise at the criticism coming from Keane, suggesting that former players should have a better understanding of the challenges faced by current players. Guardiola highlighted the tendency of retired players to critique their successors, noting the difficulty of the profession and the quick fading of memories regarding their own struggles.
Guardiola defended his players and refrained from criticizing his colleagues, emphasizing the need for a supportive and understanding approach within the football community.
Following the draw against Arsenal, Manchester City sits in third place in the Premier League standings with 64 points, trailing behind Liverpool and Arsenal by three and one points, respectively, with nine games remaining in the season.
