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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Alf-Inge Haaland's response to Roy Keane as Erling Haaland makes horror tackle confession

For years, Alf-Inge Haaland and Roy Keane have been synonymous with the Manchester derby - but both watched on as the former's son, Erling, made his own mark on one of the Premier League's most eagerly anticipated fixtures this weekend.

The 22-year-old was the focus of much of the build-up to Sunday's clash in the wake of his electric start to life in England. Prior to Sunday's resounding 6-3 win, Haaland had plundered 14 goals in just 10 games since joining Manchester City in the summer; it's now 17 for the season for the striker after he put Manchester United to the sword with a stunning hat-trick.

But before the match, Haaland junior was unable to escape the past. With the history his family has in the derby following Keane's brutal foul back in 2001, it was unavoidable that the City star would be quizzed on the incident - particularly as it remains such a big talking point.

It's certainly a subject that Keane has not been shy to discuss in the past. And the former Manchester United captain famously wrote in his autobiography: "There are things I regret in my life and he’s [Haaland] not one of them."

But while Keane has not shirked discussions of the violent lunge that marred the 1-1 draw between the two sides back in April 2001, the incident no longer appears to weigh heavily on Alf-Inge, who previously made it clear that he believes Keane's horrific tackle ended his playing career.

When he was previously asked to respond to Keane's take on the incident on Twitter, Haaland senior dismissed the question and instead took aim at the Irishman's bushy beard. He retorted that he 'couldn't take Keane seriously'.

Join the debate! What did you make of Sunday's Manchester derby? Let us know here.

Erling Haaland dismissed talk of the clash between his father and Keane in the build-up to the Manchester derby (Sky Sports YouTube)

And Erling adopted a similar approach when he was asked whether or not he had ever discussed one of the most talked about derby moments in recent memory.

The City striker was reluctant to speak on the tackle and insisted: "I haven't spoken to my father about this game, but I know he will be in the stands watching. It means so much to all of the supporters - and as a fan I know that. We want to make them proud on Sunday.

"We know it is going to be a tough game, but I am excited to play in this derby. It's another game, but I also know that derby games are so much more intense. These games mean everything to the fans. It is the first time I have played in the Manchester derby after watching so many on TV with my father and I cannot wait. It will be a special moment for me."

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