Erling Haaland was subjected to verbal attacks from opposing fans in the city derby.Image: PA Wire / Bradley Collyer dpa
Manchester United and Manchester City met in the Premier League yesterday, Saturday. Manchester City initially took the lead after Jack Grealish made it 1-0 in the 60th minute with a headshot just minutes after coming on. However, the team of coach Pep Guardiola could not maintain the lead.
Towards the end of the game the tide changed. United’s Bruno Fernandes equalized with a controversial goal in the 80th minute. Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal just minutes later. Manchester City left the field in the city derby with a 2-1 defeat.
Manchester United fans provoked Haaland during the game
For Erling Haaland, it was not only a difficult game from a sporting point of view: the center forward was exposed to personal attacks from the opposing United fans. The background is a duel in which his father Alf-Inge Haaland was involved over 20 years ago.
Manchester United fans provoked Erling Haaland. “Haaland, Haaland, how’s your dad?”, “How is your father?” They kept calling during the game. They also shouted, “Keano, Keano.” This is the nickname of Roy Keane, who played for Manchester United from 1993 to 2005.
Keane fouls Haaland’s father Background to the verbal attacks
The calls can be explained by an incident in April 2001. Manchester City and Manchester United also met there in the city derby. Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, also played for Man City. In the game he was severely fouled by said Roy Keane. Alf-Inge, who is now 50, is still feeling the effects of the injuries he suffered at the time.
After the brutal foul, Keane had to leave the pitch. Alf-Inge Haaland was able to finish the game. Roy Keane finally admitted fouling him on purpose 16 months after the incident. About a year after the incident, Alf-Inge ended his career as a professional soccer player due to chronic pain in his left knee – Keane had hit his right knee.
There is currently a lot of movement in the squad at Borussia Mönchengladbach. At the end of the season, the contracts of five top performers expire. Marcus Thuram, Ramy Bensebaini, Yann Sommer, Lars Stindl and Tony Jantschke could go on a free transfer in the summer. It goes without saying that this cannot be in the interest of the club. Julian Weigl’s loan from Benfica Lisbon is also coming to an end.
