Gary Neville and Roy Keane rip into Manchester United after Man City drubbing
The manner of United's surrender in the second half infuriated club icons Neville and Keane, who were in unforgiving mood on Sky Sports.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Gary Neville and Roy Keane offered up withering assessment of Manchester United's performance after they were handed a humiliating 4-1 drubbing by neighbours Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez struck derby doubles as City condemned United to a hammering that ensured the blue half of the Manchester completed a Premier League double over the bedraggled Red Devils.
The 187th Manchester derby started frantically but ended with the Premier League champions in cruise control as Pep Guardiola’s leaders restored their six-point advantage over Liverpool at the top of the standings.
De Bruyne’s early opener was superbly cancelled out by former City prospect Jadon Sancho, only for the Belgium star to strike his second and Mahrez to grab a second-half brace in a deserved win against Ralf Rangnick’s wretched Red Devils.
It was a rare Etihad Stadium defeat for United, whose hopes of a fourth straight away win on enemy turf in all competitions were hit inside five minutes when the hosts all too easily sliced them open.
The manner of United's surrender in the second half infuriated club icons Neville and Keane, who were in unforgiving mood on Sky Sports.
"Manchester United's response to going 3-1 down has been embarrassing. Ninety-two per cent possession for City? They have given up," said Neville. "They are walking around the pitch. It's nowhere near good enough.
"There can be no complaints. City have been absolutely outstanding. But as a Manchester United fan, it's embarrassing.
"City played brilliantly in the second half. But the effort and intensity from United in the last 20 minutes was non-existent.
"The scoreline isn't the problem. It's the response to going 3-1 down that's the problem. They have thrown the towel in.
"At the end of the game, Manchester United finished like an absolute shower. They were a disgrace in the last 25 minutes."
Keane described United's second half performance as "shameful" as he identified the players who no longer deserve to remain at the club, with Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bisakka, Fred and Marcus Rashford the focus of his verbal fire.
"You've got to run back and you've got to tackle. United players have shown quality over the years but we've seen a reflection of where the team is and where the club is," stated Keane.
"They're so far behind the other teams. You hear noises all the time about things going on in the dressing room with a new manager coming in, but your own bit of pride eventually has to kick in at some stage.
"There were five or six players there who should never play for Manchester United again. It was shameful.
"City are a fantastic team and that's why they are champions. You hoped the subs who came on would have an impact, but they're not prepared to run around, couple of lads in midfield, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Maguire, Rashford, I could go on.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
"City didn't have to be at their best. They still had another couple of gears to go. They toyed with them like they did at Old Trafford.
"I know United have done well there in the last few years, but we saw all of United's shortcomings today. Man City were very good in the second half, but there are ways to lose football matches.
"You've got players not putting in performances and players not running back. They stopped running and they gave up. I don't understand it.
"The manager will be criticised about his tactics, but players not running back when you're playing for Man Utd is really unacceptable.
"It was men vs boys as the old saying goes. They threw the towel in and that is shameful."
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