Manchester City goal hero Erling Haaland revealed how chants of "Keano" from Manchester United fans motivated him during his side’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The chants were almost certainly a reference to the history between Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, and former United captain Roy Keane, who was sent off for a foul on Haaland senior in the Manchester derby in 2001.
The feud between the pair began years earlier when Haaland, then at Leeds United, stood over an injured Keane believing the United midfielder had faked an injury when in fact the Irishman had ruptured his ACL.
Asked about his effusive reaction to scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot, Erling Haaland told BBC Sport: “There were so many people singing ‘Keano’, I don’t know why, but I used it as motivation and gave them a good celebration.”
Haaland doubled City’s lead with a header early in the second half before setting up Phil Foden for the third. The England forward dropped to his knees and slid toward the away fans as he completed the scoring in the 191st Manchester derby.
Manchester United supporters just headed for the exit at Old Trafford.
This was another one-sided encounter between the city rivals, which only confirmed the ongoing dominance of Pep Guardiola's defending Premier League champions.
“It looks easy but it is not. It really, really is not,” said Guardiola. “[I have] a lot of respect for United for what they do, but we were at our best, especially in the second half.”
Erik ten Hag was supposed to close the gap between the teams when hired by United in 2022, but after a humbling derby loss, it feels as though the distance is widening.
United have lost seven games in all competitions this season, with this latest defeat leaving them eight points off the Champions League places.
Ten Hag, however, tried to offer words of optimism to fans who have repeatedly booed during home games this season and jeered his decision to substitute striker Rasmus Hojlund in the second half against City.
“I think we are on the way up, the start was difficult but now we are on the way up,” said the Dutch coach. “When injuries are getting back we will be getting stronger. We have to be patient, but I am happy with some injuries coming back and then our side will be stronger.”
Player ratings
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UNITED RATINGS. Double save from Foden then Haaland early on. Booked for time-wasting before the penalty, when Haaland sent him the wrong way. Flew across goal to save Haaland’s header on 45. Saved from Grealish on 56 and then Haaland on 70. PA -
Overhit a first minute cross after a bright United start and saw balls slipped past him by Grealish. Defended a free-kick well – and that was about the best moment in a humiliating afternoon. AFP -
Cleared the ball off the line after 7 minutes. Missed a header on 35 as United wobbled. And then it all got worse and worse. AP -
He wouldn’t have expected to start in the Manchester derby when he signed in the summer. Up against a better team all afternoon. Nowhere for the third. Reuters -
Struggled at left back. A difficult afternoon as dangerous balls were played into his area. PA -
Holding midfielder in place of the injured Casemiro. Booked for an overreaction to an altercation with Foden. Taken off at half time and while he’d only had 19 touches, his team regressed without him. Hasn’t done anything to show he’s good enough to play for a decent United side. Getty -
First start in six weeks. Played well when he came on versus Copenhagen midweek. Didn’t play well in the derby. Rodri walked past him to shoot before City’s third goal. Getty -
Rolled United's first shot on target at the start of the first half and then struck the second well at the end of the first half. Reuters -
Bright start for the first six minutes as, like in the last Old Trafford derby, he played on the right. Hit a shot well on target on 47, but he captained a side who had 38% of possession and who were, as fully expected, totally outclassed. AP -
Subdued by City’s dominance, he’s having an awful season like his team. Should’ve done better with an Eriksen ball and a rare Walker slip on 69, but he shot wide. Getty -
Lost Rodri to concede a soft 23rd minute penalty, then ran forward towards goal before being knocked off balance by Stones in the area. Unlike Rodri, he didn’t wave for a foul. Still to score in the league. EPA -
UNITED SUBS. (On for Amrabat, 45') Came on at half-time and played more defensively than usual. PA -
(On for Hojlund 73'). He usually makes an impact when he comes on. Not today. PA -
(On for Lindleof 73'). The left back who didn’t start ahead of someone who isn’t a left back. What could he do, the damage was done. Antony (on for Eriksen, 86'): N/A. Martial (on for Rashford, 86'): N/A. Getty -
CITY RATINGS. Made a great save to deny McTominay on stroke of half-time and also stayed on his feet long enough to push Hojlund wide when racing through. Came up trumps in big moments despite not having much to do. PA -
Defended well apart from one lapse up against Rashford early in the second half. Getty -
Solid, steady game from the Portuguese centre-back. EPA -
Kept stepping into midfield to make the extra man and also defended superbly in tracking and doing enough to stop Hojlund as he raced in on goal. Getty -
Careless with the ball in the first half but soon settled into his first Manchester derby. Nullified the threat of Fernandes. Reuters -
His usual tidy self in possession and defensively astute. Created chance with excellent early cross and won his side a penalty. Getty -
Man of the match display. Caused United all sorts of problems when drifting into the inside left channel. At his creative best. EPA -
Bit of a mixed bag with some wayward passing and poor decisions but added incisiveness and scored the third. AFP -
Livewire in and around the box. Linked well with teammates, lots of little give and goes caused United problems. Reuters -
Impressive on the left. Involved in second goal and tested Onana on a couple of occasions. AFP -
Two goals and assist. Could easily have had his hat-trick given the chances created. Provided a focal point and that finishing touch. There will be many more goals with service like he received here. AFP -
CITY SUBS. (On for Alvarez, 87'): N/A -
(On for Grealish, 87'): N/A
