Roy Keane hesitates to join in with Erling Haaland’s chants as Man City storm to victory at Old Trafford

Erling Haaland’s brace helped Manchester City celebrate derby day, while lifeless rivals Manchester United were outclassed in an embarrassing home defeat.

The eyes of the football world were on Old Trafford as the neighbors met in the 191st Manchester derby and achieved the treble triumph for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s men in 1999.

Haaland scored a free-kick and a free header before replacing Phil Foden in a 3-0 win, but City’s dominance was far greater than the result suggests.

It was an abrupt end to an underwhelming three-game winning streak in all competitions for Erik ten Hags United, who have now lost five of their opening 10 Premier League games.

“There are different levels. United’s players are simply too short in every respect. Technically and tactically. It’s a long road back for this team,” Keane told Sky Sports.

“For me they are vitally important to Man City, as brilliant as they are. After winning three trophies last season, will they retain their hunger and desire?”

“They have brilliant running back players who outnumber Man United. You saw everything you wanted to see in the team.”

“Okay, they had a difficult game a few weeks ago when they had some key players out of the team, but it’s such an important message that if you show that hunger and that desire, they’re going to have a very hard time stopping it. “

Haaland mentioned in his post-match press conference that United fans shouted “Keano” in his direction when he scored the first-half penalty that gave City the lead.

That was clearly in reference to Keane’s infamous clash with Haaland’s father Alf Inge, which he later admitted was a deliberate act of violence against a player who was taunting him when he sustained a serious knee injury during a game against Leeds in 1997.

“People have been singing ‘Keano’ to me, I don’t know why, but it is what it is,” Haaland said with a sly smile before adding. “It was a nice celebration and a nice game.”

Keane was asked about the chants in the Sky Sports studio and seemed uninterested in returning to the controversial topic.

“Was that Robbie Keane?” he said, taking the discussion in a different direction.

“I had no doubt that Haaland would take the penalty. He received it very well.”

United coach Ten Hag tried to find a glimmer of hope in his side’s emphatic defeat and the pressure on his own future is likely to increase again.

“We played very well in the first half. The game plan went the way we wanted. We defended very well,” said Ten Hag.

“They almost didn’t make it – a big save from Andre in that start. We had two or three breaks, we had to take advantage of it.”

“We have to get more out of it, but the penalty changes the game. I have no comment on this. I have no comment.”

“The game plan was good. But when you lose, you have to act as a manager, especially when you have a bench and use the bench and use offensive power on the pitch.”

“Last year we were in the same situation, even after the game against City. We have to forget about this game and recover on Wednesday.”

“We played against City three times again this year. We played very well in all of these games. The first half was good today, we made it difficult for them. The chances were similar and they scored the first goal. We played three. Play well against them.