Achi news desk-
Former Manchester United midfielder Keane likened the prolific City striker to a “League Two player” when referring to his overall game last month.
Haaland put those comments aside with a devastating return to top form as City crushed Wolves 5-1 to maintain control of the Premier League title race.
“I don’t really care that much about this man, so it’s fine,” Haaland said in an interview with a broadcaster from his native Norway.
Any bitterness is likely rooted in Cain’s long-running feud with Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge. Keane was infamously sent off for a horrific tackle on senior Haaland in 2001.
Roy Keane shouts at Manchester City’s Alf-Inge Haaland (on the ground) after receiving a red card for a horror tackle in 2001 (Phil Noble/PA)
Haaland stunned Wolves with a first-half hat-trick, two of which were penalties, and took his campaign tally to 36 in all competitions with a brilliant fourth.
Substitute Julian Alvarez rounded off the scoring as City moved within a point of leaders Arsenal at the top of the table with a game in hand.
“We just have to win our games now, relax tonight and focus on Fulham,” Haaland added.
Haaland scored 52 goals in his brilliant first season at City and manager Pep Guardiola insisted any dip in form this term was largely down to his injury problems.
Guardiola said: “He was injured. To get back to his best form, he needs time. He is so tall. He is not like Jeremy (Duco) or Phil (Foden).
“I am happy about his performance and his extraordinary goals, and also about the penalties because we know that sometimes they are not easy.
“But the second and fourth were unbelievable. I’m really happy for him.”
City have three games left compared to Arsenal’s two.
Guardiola said: “It was a better result than a performance. People see 5-1 but I don’t feel it was really good.
“But we are satisfied with the result. Now we have to take nine points, otherwise Arsenal will win the title.”
Wolves boss Gary O’Neill felt City’s first penalty, awarded after a clash between Josco Guardiol and Ryan Ayte-Nuri, was debatable but admitted City deserved their victory.
O’Neill, whose side had a consolation through Hwang Hee-chan, said: “The first penalty, I thought, was a very poor decision. It was strange.
“But we have to take responsibility for the way the game developed. I think we made a lot of mistakes, even unforced ones, which gave Manchester City really good chances.
“You can get away with a few mistakes against other teams, but we knew we had to try to be as close to perfect as possible here, and we fell short on a lot of occasions.
“That said it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for Manchester City.”
