Man City’s Haaland brushes off United fans’ ‘Keano’ barbs

Erling Haaland said he responded to taunts from Manchester United fans over the injury that ended his father’s playing career by scoring from the penalty spot in Manchester City’s 3-0 derby win at Old Trafford.

Haaland’s father, Alfie, suffered knee ligament damage following a foul by United captain Roy Keane during a derby at Old Trafford in April 2001. Keane later admitted in his autobiography that he had deliberately decided to injure the former Norwegian midfielder in revenge for his role in the match. cruciate ligament injury he suffered while playing against Haaland four years earlier.

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As Haaland waited to take his penalty – City’s first at Old Trafford since 1991 – United fans repeatedly chanted “Keano” and “Haaland, how’s your dad?” before the City striker scored and celebrated in front of the opposition fans.

“People were singing ‘Keano’ to me,” Haaland told the BBC. “I don’t know why, but that’s how it is. It was a great party and a great match.”

Haaland then scored City’s second goal before setting up a third for Phil Foden late in the second half, but manager Pep Guardiola said he did not believe the striker was motivated by the chants. United fans.

“Honestly, we haven’t talked about it,” Guardiola said. “I think Erling knows his motivation is to score at Old Trafford against a confident team. He loves scoring a goal.”

Guardiola said the key to City’s victory was the performance of midfielder Bernardo Silva.

“He [Bernardo] “He doesn’t wear earrings or tattoos and he has a normal car,” Guardiola said. “He’s an incredible player for us. He also loves playing at Old Trafford.

“At times he has played here as a false nine in the past. He has this ability to take a lot of possessions and attack in the right moments, he is so intelligent. Everyone loves him and he put in another performance exceptional.

“He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen in my life and I’m lucky enough to coach him. He’s one of the best, how smart and smart he is and that’s a good guy.”

City have now won three consecutive games in a week after suffering three defeats in four games earlier this month. Victory at Old Trafford leaves City third, two points behind unbeaten leaders Tottenham Hotspur, and Guardiola said the return to form has helped banish doubt from City’s minds.

“The game against Brighton was very important after a few defeats,” he said. “It’s not the fact of a defeat, it’s when it comes to your mind and you start to have doubts in your head and then it’s more difficult.

“Brighton are a difficult opponent to play against and I know how difficult it is for every team to play against them, it’s so complicated. It was also important against Young Boys to understand the way we have to play, to be more precise on an artificial pitch and we did it perfectly.

“Today here is special for the scenario. Old Trafford is Old Trafford and to win here we are very proud.