Roy Keane blasts Man United players for ‘having a breather’ as Phil Foden equalised in derby defeat – and reveals how he would have stopped the Man City star

Roy Keane has criticized Manchester United’s players for ‘taking a breather’ ahead of Phil Foden’s equalizer in the derby.

United led 1-0 at the Eithad Stadium thanks to a fantastic goal from Marcus Rashford, but City managed to turn things around in the second half and won 3-1 as Foden scored a brace before Erling Haaland also found the net .

Former United star Keane was furious with the way Erik ten Hag’s side defended for Foden’s equalizer as City’s Victor Lindelof managed to get past Victor Lindelof before scoring, while Kobbie Mainoo also left plenty of space in midfield.

Keane told Sky Sports: ‘United have a lot of players here. I will be critical of United’s defenders because they have the players back.

‘But two or three players have a breather there.

Keane hit out at United stars for ‘having a breather’ as Foden equalized for Manchester City

Keane added that the United players should have been more focused as Foden regularly cuts inside.

He said: “You’ve got Foden who we’ve seen do it a lot this season and the players have a breather for that split second.

‘You can’t do that against Foden! We’ve seen that before.

‘When a left-footer comes in, people say it’s dangerous, but if there are bodies in there, you have to get to work here.

‘You have to go to the ball! You have to go to Foden! We talked about a great player. He wants to get on his stronger foot. Go to him!’

Keane also revealed he would have dealt with Foden’s threat by ‘nailing’ him.

Keane said: ‘When I was a midfielder and I saw someone coming near me, I go, have a nice day! I can go grab someone here.’

Michael Owen suggested Marcus Rashford was responsible for Foden’s equalizer.

Talented youngster Kobbie Mainoo left too much space in midfield as Foden leveled City

Michael Owen claimed Marcus Rashford was responsible for Foden’s equalizer

Rashford was adamant that Kyle Walker had fouled him, but former Owen stated that the United star could have prevented Foden’s goal if he had been back in position rather than ‘lying on the ground for a minute or so’ .

Speaking on Optus Sport, Owen said: “I thought it was right that nothing was given. I don’t know why Marcus Rashford tried to run into his man in the beginning, he couldn’t even control the ball. You must first have control of the ball and make the cut over your man.

‘I felt it was called ‘spot on’. And actually he would have been back in this position (defending for the Foden goal) to potentially cut that ball out.

‘He’s been on the floor for a minute or so. Once he got back inside, that’s where his position should be, if he wasn’t on the ground before. So maybe he could have prevented that goal.’

After the defeat to City, United remain in sixth place in the Premier League, eleven points behind fourth place.

Erik ten Hag emphasized that United can still qualify for the Champions League

United manager Erik ten Hag emphasized after the match that his team is still capable of qualifying for the Champions League despite the defeat, especially as fifth place could be enough.

He said: ‘It could be a quick turnaround. We go to another final (next Saturday against Everton) and try to get closer. We have to go for it. We have to win our games.

“Fifth place can also be a place for the Champions League, so we have to fight for that. This year we are really making progress and you should get some points back. Anyone can beat anyone.”