Roy Keane hails a 'proper Man Utd performance' after shock derby win

Keane on Utd's 2-1 win: "It wasn't all about how
they counter-attacked, it was how they managed
the game, got blocks in and showed personality"
Last Updated: 07/12/19 10:33pm
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Roy Keane hailed a 'proper Manchester United
performance'
Roy Keane hailed a "proper Manchester United
performance" after watching his former side beat
Manchester City 2-1 in the derby.
After beating Tottenham in midweek at Old
Trafford, United have now won back-to-back games
for the first time this season, and now sit just five
points off the top four to lift the weight off Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer's shoulders.

United were scintillating for 30 minutes, scoring
twice through Marcus Rashford and Anthony
Martial, then defended manfully for the remainder
whilst being in control of the game for large
periods.
Keane was delighted with what he saw from his
former club.
"I absolutely did not see this coming," Keane said.
"It was fantastic - a proper Manchester United
performance. Lots of bravery and personality. They
were outstanding.
Anthony Martial celebrates doubling Manchester
Anthony Martial celebrates doubling Manchester
United's lead
"I don't think beating Tottenham was a big deal at
home, but that win today will give the players a lot
of confidence as they have been criticised - nobody
likes to be criticised.
"But hats off to Manchester United, whatever
happens in January with the speculation, question
marks over Ole, they were outstanding.
"This was a Manchester United performance.
"It wasn't all about how they countered attacked, it
was how they managed the game, got blocks in
and showed personality.
"I really enjoyed watching them - it's what
Manchester United is all about. But the key is to be
consistent, week-in, week-out. Hopefully these
young players will pick up on that."

Despite being mightily impressed with the way
United performed, Gary Neville was staying
grounded in terms of what is required from the club
in January.
Neville believes Solskjaer still needs to be backed
in the next window and add some much needed
experience to the dressing room.
He said: "It's been painful over the last five and six
years and the players have taken criticism, rightly
so. Performances like at West Ham, Aston Villa and
Sheffield United are nowhere near good enough.
"But that's a different level today.
"That's what they can do. There will still be
inconsistencies as they are young and are not
performing week-in, week-out at the same level. It
does give you hope that there is something there
that can produce that level of performance.
"It will give the squad confidence, but it doesn't
change what United need to do in January. They
need to get some experience to bolster that squad.
They need it desperately. Scott McTominay and
Fred have done brilliantly but they can't do it every
week.
"It gives Ole a bit of breathing space and the
confidence he can win big games as shown in the
last four days."
Ole: We look like a Man United team
4:00
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester City are
'the best team in the world' after Manchester
United beat City 2-1 in the Premier League
Solskjaer was delighted most of all by how his side
reflected what he considers to be the quintessential
Manchester United side, showing attacking intent
when they could.
He also said United had beaten the best team in
the world, with the best manager in the world, and
insisted his doubters are going to have tough times
ahead.
He told Sky Sports : "We're playing against the best
team in the world, for me, the best coach in the
world, it's so hard to play against them.
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"It's a Man United performance, in my mould. I love
boys going forward when there's a chance for
them. We're improving all of the time. The boys are
getting experiences to remember.
"There's more hard times for the doubters out
there, because we'll keep on working the way we're
doing, and we keep on believing in what we're
doing. It's just about getting results, and more and
more people will see what we're trying to do."
And he said in his post-match press conference:
"We do look like a Man United team, and that's the
big thing for me.
"I've seen the improvement since I came. Of course
we've had to reshape the squad, change the culture
of the squad, change the way we want to play.
"Even though I remember last season's away game,
it's not nice to see that City are so much better
than us, they're the best team in the world, but
today we've come away with some dignity."
"We've worked on counter-attacks ever since I
came to the club. That's Man United. It sounds
negative, the 'counter-attack', but for me it's quick,
attacking, flowing football, with the right intent."
Pep: I'm pleased with how we played

Despite being firmly second best for the majority of

the first half, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

insisted his side did what he asked of them.

He also insisted that no matter how small or big

the gap is between them and Liverpool, he will

always take it game-by-game, and will not prioritise

the Champions League.

He told Sky Sports : "We concede three or four

counter-attacks in the first half. I'm more than

happy for the performance we have done. We

pushed them, create chances, and concede two or

three, but in general I am delighted and happy with

the performance we play.

"In 90 minutes you can't expect to control

everything, so when you lose this ball. But with the

approach and the way we play, I was delighted. But

no regrets at all.

"We are a little bit more [open], sometimes it

happens, but with these four players up front, it's

normal, but in general we played a good game.

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"I know who we are as a team. I'm delighted to

work with these guys, in the second half we tried

and tried, unfortunately we scored late and couldn't

turn the result."

When asked about the gap to Liverpool, Guardiola

said: "It's not time to think about this. We think

about the next game, but it's unrealistic to think

about it, to catch up, it doesn't matter if we are 6,

7, 14, 25 points, we have to continue. We are a

fantastic team, we play so good."