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Manchester United will struggle to sign Erling Haaland in the summer because of Roy Keane’s infamous tackle on his father Alf-Inge Haaland, according to Paul Ince.
Former United captain Keane was sent off during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 2001 for a knee-high challenge on Haaland Sr, who was later forced to retire after surgery.
Keane initially received a three-match suspension and a £5,000 fine for the challenge but was later banned for a further five matches and fined £150,000 after suggesting in his autobiography that the tackle was premeditated.
Ince believes the incident could prevent United from ever signing Haaland Jr, who is also reportedly a supporter of rival club Leeds United.
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“United need a new striker. Haaland is a tricky one because of the situation with his dad and Keane at Old Trafford,” said Ince.
“I can’t see him going to Old Trafford just based on that, and if there’s no Champions League, he definitely won’t.”
Keane admitted in his autobiography that he intended to hurt Haaland Sr after previously clashing with the Norwegian in a match against Leeds United three-and-a-half years earlier.
In that match, Keane injured his anterior cruciate ligament while running for the ball with Haaland, who then stood over the Irishman and accused him of feigning injury – unaware of the severity of the situation.
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Keane would later admit that his challenge against Haaland in 2001 was an act of retribution.
In his 2002 autobiography, Keane wrote: “I'd waited long enough. I f*****g hit him hard. The ball was there (I think).
“Take that you c***. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.”
Haaland Sr would retire in 2004 after failing to recover from knee surgery, before making a brief return to football with Norwegian third division club Rosseland in 2011.
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His son, Erling, is currently one of the most sought-after players in world football after scoring 80 goals in 79 games for Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are among a group of top European clubs reportedly interested in the 21-year-old striker, who is believed to have a release clause of £68m in his Dortmund contract.
Topics: Roy Keane, Erling Haaland, Football, Transfers, Manchester United, Premier League, Manchester City, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund