- Man City’s goalscorer celebrated emphatically after his first goal on Sunday
- Erling Haaland explained that he heard United supporters singing ‘Keano’ at him
- Follow the new Mail Sport Man United WhatsApp channel for all the latest news
Erling Haaland admitted he was delighted to open the scoring in the Manchester derby after hearing Man United supporters chant ‘Keano’ at him as he prepared to take his penalty in the first half.
City dominated Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, with Haaland scoring twice either side of half-time before Phil Foden rounded off the victory with a third goal.
United supporters chanting ‘Keano’ referred to the former Red Devils captain’s horror tackle on Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, while playing for City.
Keane took revenge on Haaland Snr in 2001, four years after the Norwegian was involved in a challenge with the Irishman that saw the United star miss most of the 1997/98 season.
The outrageous tackle on Haaland ultimately led to the end of his professional career and United supporters decided to use the incident as a diversion during last weekend’s Manchester derby. It did not work.
Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Man City’s first goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby
Haaland admitted he heard United supporters chanting ‘Keano’ at him as he stepped forward to take his penalty
Haaland, 23, revealed after the match that he had heard the calls and enjoyed silencing rival fans with his opening goal of the match.
“I heard a lot of people shouting about ‘Keano’, I don’t know why,” the City striker told Sky Sports.
He added a second goal with a brilliant header at the back post to beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana as City began to exert control over proceedings at home to their rivals.
Haaland’s goal-scoring performance in the derby clash gave him greater control over the Premier League goalscoring charts, with two goals against United taking him to 11 for the season so far.
Former United captain Roy Keane and Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, previously met during their playing days
Keane famously stood over Haaland after a horror tackle on the Norwegian in 2001
Analyzing his follow-up strike against United, Haaland said: “The second goal was a fantastic jump.
‘The first header was an incredible save just before half-time. He (Onana) made a fantastic save in the second half, where I broke him down and he saved with his head.
‘We won, I don’t care. It was great, a fantastic win and the match was incredible.
‘The entire team. Especially Bernardo Silva too, impressive,” he added.