Alf-Inge Haaland will obviously be proud of his son, Erling Haaland, after the latter’s heroics in 191st Manchester Derby at Old Trafford.
Erling Haaland silenced a roaring United fans at the Strethford End with a brace to solidify Manchester City’s dominance over Manchester United.
The Blues are arguably miles ahead of the Red Devils and the 191st derby was an affirmation as they bundled the shaky Erik ten Hag side with three unreplied goals.
There was more to the match than just team rivalry. Erling Haaland’s brace was a worthy tribute to his Dad Alf-Inge Haaland, whose career was cut short by an infamous tackle by Man United legend Roy Keane in Manchester derby in 2001.
While Haaland would have opted to respect his rivals and opposing fans in spirit of sportsmanship after putting City ahead, he obviously chose to go on the offensive.
He celebrated his opener by going straight to the Strethford End to celebrate the goal in front of Man United fans.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Haaland revealed he was spurred up to celebrate his goal at the Strethford End due to Man United fans’ taunts before the goal.
The home supporters tried to rile Haaland with chants of ‘Keano’ – a reference to Roy Keane’s infamous challenge on the Norwegian’s father Alfie in an Old Trafford derby in April 2001.
‘There was so many people singing ‘Keano’, I don’t why,’ smiled Haaland, who also scored City’s second goal and set up a third for Phil Foden in a dominant 3-0 win. ‘I used it as motivation. I gave them a good celebration.’
‘Keano’ was a not-so-subtle reference to the former Red Devils captain’s horror tackle on Haaland’s dad Alf-Inge when he was playing for City, making it all the more sweeter for Haaland Jnr when he buried his penalty.
Alf-Inge Haaland infamous Premier League spat with Roy Keane
Roy Keane’s infamous tackle on Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, is widely regarded as one of the most brutal fouls in Premier League history. The incident occurred in a match between Manchester United and Manchester City in April 2001.
Haaland had previously accused Keane of feigning injury during a match in 1997, which led to Keane missing the rest of the season. Keane admitted in his autobiography that he had intended to hurt Haaland in the 2001 match, and the tackle he made was certainly vicious.
Keane lunged at Haaland with his studs up, and he made contact with Haaland’s right knee. Haaland was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher, and he never fully recovered from the injury. He was forced to retire from professional football in 2004, at the age of 30.
The tackle was widely condemned by pundits and players alike, and Keane was fined £5,000 and suspended for three matches by the Football Association. He was also sued by Haaland, but the case was eventually settled out of court.
Keane has never apologized for the tackle, and he has defended his actions on numerous occasions. He has claimed that he was simply trying to “win the ball,” and that he did not intend to injure Haaland. However, many people believe that Keane’s tackle was premeditated and that he deliberately set out to hurt Haaland.
