Erling Haaland is under intense scrutiny following Manchester City’s shocking FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, with former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney leading the criticism. The controversy stems from Haaland’s surprising decision to pass on penalty duties during the crucial match, a move Rooney says reveals a stark contrast between the Norwegian striker and all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a tense final at Wembley Stadium, Manchester City were desperate to salvage their season with silverware after a disappointing run in the Premier League. However, a 16th-minute goal by Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze dashed those hopes. City failed to recover, slumping to a 1-0 defeat that left them empty-handed for the season.
With the Premier League title out of reach and an early exit from the Champions League, the FA Cup had represented City’s last chance for a trophy. Now, with just two league matches remaining, their focus has shifted to securing a top-four finish and ensuring Champions League qualification for next season.
But the fallout from the Wembley loss centers not just on the team’s overall performance, but on one pivotal moment: a penalty opportunity that could have changed the game’s momentum. Surprisingly, Haaland, City’s regular penalty taker, handed over the responsibility to Omar Marmoush. Marmoush failed to convert, and the chance slipped away.
Wayne Rooney questioned the mindset behind Haaland’s decision. He acknowledged Haaland’s talent but emphasized that top-tier players like Messi and Ronaldo would never give up such a decisive moment.
“Erling Haaland is a world-class forward, but when we’re talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no way they’re giving that ball away,” Rooney remarked. “That’s what separates those two players from Haaland or even Kylian Mbappe. They are selfish in the best way they want to be decisive in every match.”
Rooney suggested that Haaland may have been mentally affected by his recent return from injury. He speculated that the pressure of taking a penalty in such a high-stakes game might have been too much.
“Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley was too much for him. You never know, he’s a human being,” Rooney added, hinting at a lapse in confidence from the usually clinical striker.
Pep Guardiola also addressed the incident, expressing his surprise that Haaland did not take the penalty himself. He noted that while tactical decisions are discussed before matches, final calls are often left to the players based on how they feel in the moment.
“I thought he would want to take it. We didn’t speak. In situations like that, it’s about how you feel. They saw that Omar was ready to take it,” Guardiola said.
The loss has exposed more than just tactical flaws it has raised questions about leadership and mentality within the City squad. With the Champions League place still on the line, Guardiola will be counting on his key players, including Haaland, to rise to the occasion in their final fixtures.
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight is firmly on Manchester City and particularly on Erling Haaland to prove that they can overcome adversity and finish strong.
