Erling Haaland: 'Keano' chants motivated me in Manchester derby

Norwegian striker celebrated in front of taunting United fans as two-goal salvo helps City to 3-0 win against United

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the team's second goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Getty

Harry Maguire of Manchester United attempts to pass the ball whilst under pressure from Erling Haaland. Getty

Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between United and Manchester City. Getty

Referee Paul Tierney checks the VAR display before awarding a penalty for Manchester City. EPA

Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores from the spot. EPA

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal. AP

Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat, left, duels with Manchester City's Jack Grealish. Reuters

Manchester City's Ederson saves a shot from Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Reuters

Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores the team's second goal. Getty

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Bernardo Silva. EPA

Jonny Evans of Manchester United looks dejected after Erling Haaland of Manchester City scored his team's second goal. Getty

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remonstrates with the fourth official. Reuters

Manchester City's players celebrate going 2-0 ahead at Old Trafford. AFP

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.”

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