MANCHESTER CITY sensationally benched star names Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne for Wednesday’s home clash with Aston Villa.
That’s despite boss Pep Guardiola blasting Roy Keane for labelling Haaland a “League Two player” after Sunday’s 0-0 home draw with Arsenal.
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The Norwegian goal machine and Belgian playmaker De Bruyne have been below their best in recent weeks – with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku replacing them in the City starting line-up against Villa.
But it will still shock many that Guardiola has dropped the two aces often regarded as his team’s biggest threats.
The third-placed champions prepared for Wednesday’s clash one point behind Arsenal and a further two points adrift of Liverpool.
And Manchester United legend Keane slammed Haaland‘s all-round play after the weekend stalemate with the Gunners.
The 6ft 4ins poacher completed just seven passes and did not even record a shot on target.
Pundit Keane told Sky Sports: “The levels of his general play is so poor
“I think laying 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 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, it has to improve and it will do over the next few years.”
But Guardiola insisted he still rates Haaland “the best striker in the world”.
And he also appeared unhappy at Keane making such a harsh judgement on any player.
The Spaniard said: “I do not agree with him. It’s like if I said he’s a manager for the second or third league. I don’t think so.”
