Manchester City star Erling Haaland was ripped to shreds on social media after an astonishing miss in a derby clash against Manchester United.
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City were trailing 1-0 moments before intervalHaaland misses golden chance to equaliseFans destroy striker on social mediaWHAT HAPPENED?
City were trailing heading into the interval at Etihad Stadium, with Marcus Rashford having opened the scoring for United with a stunning 25-yard strike. Haaland had a glorious chance to level proceedings, after being teed up less than a yard from goal by a Phil Foden header, but he somehow volleyed over the bar in an astonishing moment that stunned the home crowd into silence.
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An X account named @Hmz290 called Haaland's miss "the worst of all time", while @TheFergusonWay quipped: "Brilliant goal line clearance by Haaland."
Samuel Luckhurst of the , meanwhile, wrote at half-time: "United fans revelling in Haaland's miss with a chorus of 'Haaland, Haaland, how's your dad?' Classic away day performance so far from #mufc."
Haaland also saw his standing among the game's elite players questioned, with @SVCarbaholic writing: "Haaland elite elite goalscorer one of the best in PL history but man I just can’t have someone like him be called the best player in the world. I like all round strikers man. Players who do a bit of everything. R9, Thierry Henry etc, those types."
A similar observation was made by @UTDmist, who said: "Not even saying anything but Haaland being top two for the Balon D'or was pure disrespect for that award. Missing this is CRIMINAL."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
According to , Rashford's incredible long-range effort to give United the lead had an xG of 0.03, while in stark contrast, Haaland had an xG of 0.89 with his shot from just under the crossbar, which highlights how simple the chance was for City's usually ruthless No.9.
Haaland did, however, end up having the last laugh. After a Phil Foden brace completed a second-half turnaround for City, the Norwegian capitalised on some poor United defending to get his name on the scoresheet in the 91st minute and redeem himself after his shocking miss.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Haaland is the top scorer in the Premier League for the 2023-24 season so far, with 18 goals to his name from 23 appearances for City. The Norway international's continued presence will be crucial as Pep Guardiola's side seek to repeat their treble success from last term, but rival supporters probably won't let him live down his open goal gaffe against United for some time.
